What is CyberKnife used for?

A robotic system moves around the person and directs radiation beams from different angles. The beams meet at the planned target, allowing the care team to treat a defined area while limiting exposure to nearby tissue. Despite its name, CyberKnife does not make an incision and does not remove a tumour.

It may be considered for some tumours in the brain, spine, lung, liver, prostate, or other sites. Suitability depends on the tumour’s size, position, movement, previous treatment, and the person’s overall health. It can be used as a main treatment, after another treatment, or to control a focused area when surgery is not suitable.

Before treatment, imaging is used to map the target and nearby organs. The team then creates a plan and explains positioning, session length, and whether several visits are needed. During treatment, you remain on the treatment couch while the system delivers radiation; the machine does not touch you.

Tell the radiation team about implanted devices, pregnancy or possible pregnancy, medicines, and difficulty lying still. Follow the instructions about medicines, food, hydration, and travel. Treatment planning is individual, so do not compare another person’s schedule with your own.

Contact your oncology team promptly if you develop worsening headache, new weakness, confusion, repeated vomiting, trouble breathing, severe pain, or a seizure after treatment. Seek emergency help for sudden severe symptoms, loss of consciousness, or difficulty speaking. Also report persistent skin changes, unusual fatigue, or any symptom that interferes with eating, drinking, walking, or daily activities.

Ask which target CyberKnife would treat, what alternatives are available, how many visits are planned, which side effects are most relevant to the treated body area, and how follow-up scans will be interpreted.