Robotic Arm and Missile Guidance Technology Deliver Radiation

Miami - The CyberKnife Center of Miami recently announced plans for a prostate cancer trial this year, and the center is seeking 20 patients to participate in the trial. Using a robotic arm and missile guidance technology, CyberKnife delivers targeted doses of radiation to often inoperable tumors with sub-millimeter accuracy. Until recently, CyberKnife technology was used secondarily to augment traditional radiation treatment of prostate cancer. The Miami trial will help determine if CyberKnife treatments could be primary, saving patients' time and money.

Using image-guided radiosurgery, CyberKnife can accurately target and deliver maximum radiation doses needed to attack the cancer and not damage healthy tissue. By limiting irradiation to normal tissue, the CyberKnife is able to deliver a higher and more effective dose. Shaping the treatment to the patient's anatomy is one of the great advantages of image-guided technology, such as the CyberKnife. The center treats tumors and cancer in the brain, head and neck, spine, lungs, liver, breast and pancreas. Treatment is covered by major insurance carriers and costs 20 to 45 percent less than conventional surgery.

"Typically prostate cancer patients can receive up to 37 daily treatments of radiation within a two-month period," said Dr. James Schwade, the executive director of the CyberKnife Center of Miami who will oversee the trial. "Earlier trials have shown that CyberKnife can be as effective with as few as five treatments in a one week period. We hope to back those assertions up and help make CyberKnife procedures a primary treatment for prostate cancer."

SOURCE: CyberKnife