Simple Outpatient Treatment Process

Fiducial Placement – For some body sites, placement of tiny pure gold seeds near the tumor is required for image guidance. This is done via an outpatient procedure similar to a biopsy.

Mask or Body Mold - A mask (brain tumor) or body mold is made. The mold is used to help minimize movement during the treatment.
The process is simple and painless.

CT Scan - A CT scan is taken. The surgeon and radiation oncologist will use the scan to identify the exact size, shape and location of the tumor along with the surrounding vital structures to be avoided. In some cases, a PET will be done simultaneously with the CT. In others, a separate MRI may also be needed.

Step 2: Treatment Planning

Once prep is completed and the anatomy has been defined, physicians and the team will use the CyberKnife® System’s state of-the-art software to determine the number, intensity and direction of the radiation beams the robot will send to the target. This planning procedure, which is completed after you have left the CyberKnife Center, will help ensure that a sufficient dose is administered to the tumor in order to destroy it, while avoiding the adjacent normal tissue.

Step 3: The Treatment

Arriving - Wear comfortable clothing and no jewelry. Bring a bottle of water, a book and a CD to listen to during your treatment.

Positioning - During the CyberKnife® Procedure, you will need to lie still. Generally, no sedation or anesthesia is used because the treatment is painless.

Painless Treatment, Verification & Targeting - The treatment itself involves the administration of radiation beams delivered from different directions. Prior to the delivery of each radiation beam, the image guidance system takes x-ray images and compares them to the original CT scan. This information is used to ensure the radiation is targeted directly at the tumor while avoiding critical structures.

Completion - Patients usually leave the hospital and resume normal activity immediately following the treatment.

Follow-Up - Follow-up imaging is generally performed to monitor the tumor’s response. While waiting for your results, stay busy and maintain a positive attitude.