The CyberKnife® at LCRP Now Fights Prostate Cancer

Course of treatment lasts only five sessions

The only cancer center in the region to offer the CyberKnife® Robotic Radiosurgery System has expanded its capabilities and now offers non-invasive treatment for some prostate cancer patients.

Patients at the Nancy N. and J.C. Lewis Cancer & Research Pavilion at St. Joseph’s/Candler could be eligible for a drastically-reduced number of radiation treatments and no surgery. 

The power and accuracy of the CyberKnife® gives prostate cancer patients a fantastic and seriously effective treatment option, so patients can stay in their community and be near the support system of their loved ones.
 
CyberKnife® treatment for prostate cancer is recommended for low- and intermediate-risk patients. In general, that means those with a Gleason score of seven or less. Please consult your doctor to determine what course of treatment is best for you.

What is the CyberKnife®?

The CyberKnife® System is a robot that delivers a unique form of Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy also known as radiosurgery. It is the only radiation therapy technology that continuously tracks tumor motion and automatically corrects the aim of the treatment beam when movement is detected. The CyberKnife® Radiosurgery System delivers radiation with sub-millimeter accuracy through the use of continual image guidance and robotic mobility. As a result, the radiation is directed to where it counts most, the prostate, and the radiation dose falls off steeply around the healthy tissue that surrounds the prostate.

Why is the CyberKnife® good for prostate patients?

• Compensation for movement. The body doesn't stop moving during treatment and this movement in the past has been a challenge for doctors. With the CyberKnife®, a special gold fiducial is placed in the prostate so the radiation beam can robotically follow the prostate’s movements.
• Reduced treatment time. The entire course of treatment for the CyberKnife® is five sessions. Traditional radiation treatments can take as many as 40 to 45 sessions during an eight- or nine-week span.
• Non-invasive procedure. For patients who are good candidates, no surgery is required. The patient lies comfortably while the robot moves automatically in nearly every direction around the body to deliver the prescribed treatment dose.
• CyberKnife® treatment for prostate cancer is completely pain free.
• It is effective. 93 percent of CyberKnife® patients are disease free five years later. 

Read: Lifelong law enforcement agent becomes first prostate cancer patient to be treated with the CyberKnife®