The CyberKnife radiosurgery treatment process generally requires six simple steps from begin to finish:
1. Evaluation – Though it may vary based on your specific treatment, in Artemis each case is evaluated by a team of clinicians, including a radiation oncologist, surgeon, medical physicist, radiation technician and nurse coordinator.
2. Imaging – Prior to treatment, an MRI and a CT or CT/PET scan is taken to determine the size, shape and location of the tumor(s) and these images are then sent to a specialized workstation to start planning of the treatment.
3. Treatment Planning – Using images from a CT scan, the data is digitally transferred to the CyberKnife® Systems treatment planning workstation, where our qualified physicians identify the tumor(s) to be targeted and the surrounding vital structures to be avoided. This plan is designed to match the desired radiation dose to the tumor location and limit radiation exposure to the surrounding healthy tissue.
4. Treatment – Once the treatment plan is developed, the patient can begin their CyberKnife treatments. The patient will be comfortably positioned on the treatment table. Then the CyberKnife Systems computer-controlled robot will carefully move around to deliver radiation at various locations as prescribed by the treatment plan. At the same time, the CyberKnife System is taking continual X-ray images that will provide real-time information about the location of the tumor and enable the system to dynamically track and correct for any movement of your tumor. Depending on the type and location of your tumor, you can expect to undergo between one and five treatment sessions.
5.Recovery – Most CyberKnife patients do not experience side effects. Depending on the type of treatment they receive, the side effects will vary. Patients that do experience side effects are typically mild and considered acute and do not require intervention. Patients should speak to their doctor and discuss what side effects may occur and learn about potential risks.