CyberKnife®

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Precision without Incision

One of the UK’s most senior Clinical Oncologists is St Bartholomew's Dr Nick Plowman and he heads this section. In his article 'CyberKnife® – cancer search and destroy’ he explains the use of this powerful new treatment option as both a stand-alone method and in collaboration with other treatments such as chemotherapyThe use of chemical substances to treat disease, particularly cancer..

Then Dr Andrew Gaya, Consultant Clinical Oncologist at Guy’s & St Thomas’ Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, explains: “Most advances in cancer treatment are small steps forward, but occasionally there is a giant leap.” 

CyberKnife® has provided this leap and is now a viableCapable of survival. alternative treatment option for:

  • Major operations such as lung and liverA large abdominal organ that has many important roles including the production of bile and clotting factors, detoxification, and the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates and fats. resections,
  • Removal of pancreasA gland behind the stomach that produces digestive enzymes and the hormones insulin and glucagon, which together regulate glucose levels in the blood. and prostatectomySurgical removal of the prostate, a gland that surrounds the urethra near the bladder.
  • Tumours in the body
  • Tumours in the brain and spine including brain metastasesSecondary tumours’ that result from the spread of a malignant tumour to other parts of the body., primary brain or brainstemThe lowest part of the brain, connecting it with the spinal cord, and responsible for controlling automatic vital functions such as heartbeat, breathing and swallowing. tumours, pituitaryA gland deep in the brain that produces several hormones controlling the production of other hormones throughout the body tumours, acoustic neuromas, meningiomas, arteriovenous malformations and trigeminal neuralgiaA disorder of the trigeminal nerve, which supplies sensation to the face..

Finally, Dr Chris Nutting, Consultant Clinical Oncologist and Director of the Head and Neck Unit at the Royal Marsden Hospital, provides his view on this novel technology.

An easy to navigate introduction to our articles on Cyberknife is available in our Cyberknife guide.

Expert articles

CyberKnife® Robotic Radiosurgery

By Dr Andrew Gaya, Consultant Clinical OncologistContact
Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, The Harley Street Clinic

The CyberKnife® System is a robotic radiosurgery instrument that is revolutionising the way cancers are treated. It was developed by John Adler, a neurosurgeon from Stanford University in the 1990's as a way of extending radiosurgery from the head and brain to include the rest of the body. He went on to found Accuray Incorporated, manufacturers of the CyberKnife® System. CyberKnife® is in clinical use throughout the world with over 60,000 patient treatments conducted. There are currently three units in the UK, and over 300 worldwide.

What can modern neurosurgery treatments be used for?

By Mr Ranjeev Bhangoo, Consultant NeurosurgeonContact
King's College Hospital, The Harley Street Clinic

The aim of neurosurgery has always been to gain the maximal benefit for the patient with the minimum amount of risk. Modern neurosurgery and radiosurgery can be used to treat a variety of conditions including brain tumours, brain haemorrhages, pain, epilepsyA tendency to have recurrent seizures., and movement disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and Multiple Sclerosis.

Neurosurgery for brain tumours

By Mr Ranjeev Bhangoo, Consultant NeurosurgeonContact
King's College Hospital, The Harley Street Clinic

It is now well recognised that patients with brain tumours (and their family) do best if managed by a group of doctors, both medical and surgical, who have a particular interest in the management of brain tumours. This is known as a tumour Multidisciplinary Team (MDT). All patients with brain tumours should receive highly individualised care that delivers not only the best treatment possible for the patient but treatment that is appropriate to the patient’s and family’s psychological and emotional needs. The aim of neurosurgery has always been to gain the maximal benefit for the patient with the minimum amount of risk.

CyberKnife® FAQs

By Dr Andrew Gaya, Consultant Clinical OncologistContact
Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, The Harley Street Clinic

The CyberKnife® System is a robotic radiosurgery instrument that is revolutionising the way cancers are treated. It was developed by John Adler, a neurosurgeon from Stanford University in the 1990’s as a way of extending radiosurgery from the head to include the rest of the body. CyberKnife® is in clinical use throughout the world with over 100,000 patient treatments conducted.

CyberKnife® – A Novel Treatment Solution

By Dr Chris Nutting, Consultant Clinical OncologistContact
The Royal Marsden Hospital, The Harley Street Clinic

Cancers can arise from any cellThe basic unit of all living organisms. in the body and therefore can take any form. When cancerAbnormal, uncontrolled cell division resulting in a malignant tumour that may invade surrounding tissues or spread to distant parts of the body. forms a single solid tumourAn abnormal swelling. or mass, surgery can be straightforward, but what about when the cancer invades around other essential tissues and organs – especially in the head and neck? Many tumours, particularly of the head and neck have previously been effectively inoperable, and so major changes in treatment approach were needed.

CyberKnife® – Cancer Search and Destroy

By Dr Nick Plowman, Senior Consultant in Clinical OncologyContact
Barts and the London NHS Trust

Seek and Destroy

The type of radiationEnergy in the form of waves or particles, including radio waves, X-rays and gamma rays. used in radiotherapyThe treatment of disease using radiation. for cancerAbnormal, uncontrolled cell division resulting in a malignant tumour that may invade surrounding tissues or spread to distant parts of the body. is called ‘ionising’ radiation. This form of radiation, in the right dose will kill all living cells, but cancer cells are particularly susceptible. The trick therefore is to deliver the right dose, to the correctly identified affected areas (focal) even when presented with a moving target such as the heart or lungs.

Recent news

The sky’s the limit in Cyberknife® and cancer care

Total Health | April 19th, 2012

Sky Factory is promoting healing for cancerAbnormal, uncontrolled cell division resulting in a malignant tumour that may invade surrounding tissues or spread to distant parts of the body. patients through their Illusions of Nature™ and SkyCeiling™, which aim to create a pleasant environment in which patients receive their cancer care from operating theatres to CyberKnife® treatment rooms. Sky Factory create virtual skylights and windows of blue sky and nature, known as biophilic art – art which is connected to our innate love of nature.

CyberKnife® revolutionary radiosurgery – what can and cannot be treated

Total Health | January 11th, 2012

CyberKnife®, a robotic radiosurgery treatment, was developed in the 1990’s and has since been used to treat over 100,000 patients. The ‘surgery’ is in fact an alternative form of radiotherapyThe treatment of disease using radiation. involving hundreds of pencil thin beams of radiationEnergy in the form of waves or particles, including radio waves, X-rays and gamma rays. which are moved around the body by a robotic arm allowing for highly precise targeting of tumours.

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