Cyberknife Vs Gamma Knife
While there are many comparisons to the Gamma Knife, the CyberKnife System is the only dedicated stereotactic radiosurgery treatment technology that also can be used to deliver stereotactic body radiation therapy for treatments throughout the body.
Both the CyberKnife System and Gamma Knife are used to deliver stereotactic radiosurgery treatments to address tumors, vascular lesions, and functional disorders, such as trigeminal neuralgia or AVM. The treatments are designed to treat inoperable or recurrent brain tumors, and can be used for patients who do not want to endure the risks of surgery. However, there are some crucial differences between Gamma Knife and CyberKnife.
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Pinpoint Accuracy With Cyberknife
The CyberKnife radiosurgery system is a pain-free, non-invasive treatment available in Anchorage that beams high doses of radiation directly to your tumor with pinpoint accuracy even in hard-to-reach areas of the prostate. The system combines a flexible robotic arm, sophisticated software, and real-time, continuous imaging to lock in on your tumor and deliver prescribed radiation doses to kill only the cancerous cells, leaving nearby tissue unharmed. It tracks the tiniest movement of your tumor, even as you breathe, to insure the radiation stays focused on only the cancerous cells. Limiting radiation exposure to healthy cells also prevents some of the short and long-term side effects common with conventional radiation treatments and surgery.
Unlike other methods of radiation delivery, CyberKnifes pinpoint precision and constant real-time motion tracking tells the CyberKnife that it is always on target on the prostate.
Preparing For Your Cyberknife Treatment
Generally, you will have consultation appointments with both the surgeon and the radiation oncologist. The CyberKnife nurse coordinator will arrange for insurance preauthorizations and inform you of your dates for pretreatment tests. These tests may include blood work and a CT scan, MRI or PET scan.
Men receiving prostate cancer radiation therapy can benefit from this advanced protection for prostate cancer therapy with SpaceOAR hydrogels. We are the only center in Delaware to offer this new technology.
The biodegradable spacers push the rectum away from the prostate and out of the high-dose radiation field to protect rectal cells from injury and thereby improve outcomes. The SpaceOAR gels are injected in a minimally invasive procedure, are safe to use and dissolve after treatment leaving nothing behind.
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Are There Cyberknife Patient Organizations I Can Contact For More Information
The CyberKnife Patient Support Group, is a non-profit organization established in July 2001 and dedicated to helping others by sharing the personal experiences of patients who have undergone CyberKnife procedure. Note that the group has moved to a new home that has been redesigned and updated with new information and functionality. All of the old posts are also available in the new Patient Forum under Archived Posts. Please visit to see whats new!
What Happens If Prostate Cancer Comes Back
If prostate-specific antigen levels remain high or become elevated after prostate cancer treatment, these are indications of a prostate recurrence. The approach for treating a prostate cancer recurrence varies based on a number of factors including the following.
- The type of previous cancer treatment received by the patient.
- The extent and location of the cancer recurrence.
- The age of the patient and other existing medical conditions.
Patients treated with traditional surgical, radiation and chemotherapy treatments often require follow-up treatment. CyberKnife can be used in conjunction with traditional cancer therapies, as well as immunotherapy and proton therapy, to manage and reduce prostate cancer recurrences.
Prostate cancer recurrence is often emotionally deflating for patients who have already endured treatment and their loved ones. Fortunately, Anova Cancer Cares CyberKnife radiotherapy treatment may be an appropriate therapy option for recurrent cancers, with fewer side effects and less down time.
Learn What to Expect from CyberKnife Treatment
How oncologists diagnose prostate cancer recurrence
After prostate cancer treatment, the amount of PSA in a patients blood typically drops and remains stable. Following treatment, many men receive regular medical checkups that include routine PSA testing. If PSA levels begin to rise, it can be a sign of a prostate cancer recurrence.
Types of prostate cancer recurrence
Likelihood of prostate cancer recurrence
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What Is Prostate Cancer
Orange County CyberKnife and Radiation Oncology Center are experts in prostate cancer treatment. The prostate is a walnut-sized gland that weighs about 1 ounce and makes a fluid that sustains semen. It surrounds the male bladder and the urethra, which carries urine from the bladder of the body. The rectum is located behind the prostate, and doctors can examine the gland by hand from this area.
Prostate cancer occurs when the formation of abnormal cells in the prostate gland creates a lump. The cells can grow rapidly and sometimes spread to other parts of the body. It is the most common non-skin cancer, affecting 1 in 7 American men.
Our world renowned radiation oncology team and doctors will discuss the range of advanced non-surgical radiation treatment options available to you and the success rates with each type. When caught early, before spreading to other parts of the body, prostate cancer is extremely treatable as shown in the chart below:
| Prostate Cancer Survival Rates* | |
| 98% | 95% |
* Percent still living after initial diagnosis, includes all stages of men who die of prostate cancer.
Almost all prostate cancers are considered acinar adenocarcinoma type , meaning it begins in the prostate gland cells, grows slowly, and is unlikely to spread. There are a few subtypes of adenocarcinoma, but they are all treated the same. The other 10% of prostate cancers may be one of six other types of rare cancer and knowledge is limited about the best treatments for these.
Potential Side Effects Of Cyberknife Treatment For Prostate Cancer
Most radiation side effects are minimal and last only a short time. Side effects can, however, sometimes be severe because of rectum or bladder wall exposure to radiation. Possible side effects could include, but are not limited to:
- Constipation, fecal urgency, fecal incontinence, hemorrhoid, rectal bleeding
- Urinary retention, urinary urgency, increased frequency, incontinence, urinary bleeding
- Blood in stool
- Erectile dysfunction
Ask your doctor for more details about potential side effects associated with your specific radiation therapy treatment.
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How Do You Prepare For Cyberknife
Youll need to go through a few steps before treatment can begin.
With ultrasound as a guide, a urologist will use long needles to place gold markers in your prostate. This will be similar to when you had your biopsy. CyberKnife will use the markers to track the tumor during treatment.
Then youll need some imaging tests to assess the location, size, and shape of the tumor. This data is sent to the CyberKnife software, so the proper dose, exact location, and number of treatments can be determined.
Your doctor will fill you in on details before you begin so you can plan accordingly.
Youll likely need one to five treatments on consecutive days. This can all be accomplished on an outpatient basis.
Theres no need for anesthesia or other medications, so you can eat and take medications as usual. Avoid lotions and powders on the area to be treated, and wear comfortable clothing. No further preparation is needed.
The Science Behind 5 Treatments
The CyberKnife System delivers external beams of high doses of radiation with the most accuracy. It only requires 5 radiation therapy sessions to destroy the tumor with sub-millimeter precision while preserving healthy surrounding tissue.
Prostate cancer cells are highly sensitive to high-dose radiation which is why CyberKnife therapy has a 97-to-100% cure rate for low-risk patients. This rate is equivalent to that of low-dose and high-dose brachytherapy and is higher than the rates of conventional radiation therapy.
For intermediate-risk patients, the studies show an 88-to-97% cure rate, still equivalent or higher than rates produced by conventional radiation therapy.
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Are There Any Surgical Techniques That Have Been Developed To Improve Erectile Function Outcomes
At this time, there are several different surgical approaches to carry out the surgery, including retropubic or perineal approaches as well as laparoscopic procedures with freehand or robotic instrumentation. Much debate but no consensus exists about the advantages and disadvantages of the different approaches. Further study is needed before obtaining meaningful determinations of the success with different new approaches.
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Recent Studies Prove Cyberknifes Efficacy In Preserving Sexual Health With Little To No Side Effects
As one of the global leaders in treating prostate cancer patients with the revolutionary CyberKnife Robotic Radiosurgery System, I recently teamed up with several oncologists to collect and report on clinical research conducted to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of CyberKnife for treatment. In the study, called the Multi-Institutional Registry for Prostate Cancer Radiosurgery, I along with my co-authors, report that CyberKnife treatment is effective in preserving sexual health without any other significant side effects.
Men who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer have a variety of treatment options available. Deciding which treatment to pursue can often be difficult, as there are many aspects to consider. One of the most important, aside from efficacy of treatment, is their quality of life after treatment compared with before treatment. Because treatment of the prostate involves the areas governing bowel, sexual and bladder function, quality of life after treatment is a major concern for men.
What we found in our study, whose results were published in Frontiers in Oncology, is that CyberKnife treatment is minimally harmful. We reported the following key findings:
Retired surgeon chooses CyberKnife for prostate cancer treatment
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Can I Get Sbrt For High
Yes, as of 2020, SBRT is considered a standard of care option for patients with high-risk and very-high risk prostate cancer. Dr. Kishan led the largest study of SBRT for high-risk prostate cancer, which was published in early 2021 and pooled data from seven trials from across the world . This study showed extremely favorable outcomes for SBRT for high- and very-high risk prostate cancer in a group of 344 patients.
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The Initial Causes Cyberknife For Prostate Cancer Vs Radical Prostatectomy
One of the first symptoms of prostate issues is pain or tenderness in the groin or lower back. This can be the result of a noncancerous condition called enlarged prostatic tissue, or it could be an infection of the bladder. In either case, its important to see a doctor as soon as possible. If youre suffering from prostate pain, you may want to consider reducing your caffeine intake.
Another symptom of a potentially enlarged prostate is difficulty starting a stream of urine, leaking, or dribbling. These symptoms are not serious, but theyre still alarming. Most men put up with an enlarged prostate for years before seeking medical attention, but they typically seek treatment as soon as they notice symptoms. Even if you dont have symptoms, its worth getting checked to determine if you have any prostate issues.
If you experience nightly bathroom runs, you may be experiencing an enlarged prostate. You may be having difficulty starting a stream of urine, or you may even be dribbling or leaking during the day. These problems arent life-threatening, but can become a nuisance. You should not ignore these signs and seek treatment as soon as you notice them. If you feel any of these symptoms, you should consult a doctor.
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More Than Two Decades Of Clinical Proof
The CyberKnife is commonly used for treating low- to intermediate-risk prostate cancer and is the only radiotherapy device supported by years of published clinical follow-up with a large number of patients.
SAFE AND EFFECTIVE
Prospective, multi-institutional study data supports the safety and efficacy of CyberKnife for men with low- and intermediate-risk prostate cancer.1, 2
EXCELLENT LONG-TERM OUTCOMES
Clinical studies report CyberKnife provides excellent long-term disease control for prostate patients.3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
20,000+ PROSTATE CANCER TREATMENTS
More than 20,000 men have been treated with CyberKnife.
References:
1 Meier. R. et al. Five-Year Outcome From a Multicenter Trial of Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy for Low- and Intermediate-Risk Prostate Cancer. International Journal of Radiation Oncology Biology Physics, Volume 96, Issue 2, S33 S34.
2 Fuller D.B., et. al. 5-year outcomes from a prospective multi-institutional trial of heterogeneous dosing stereotactic body radiotherapy for low- and intermediate-risk prostate cancer. J Clin Oncol 35. 2017 6S 35.
3 Zelefsky M.J., Chan H et al. Long-term outcome of high dose intensity modulated radiation therapy for patients with clinically localized prostate cancer. J Urol 2006 176:1415-9.
4 Cheung R., Tucker S.L. et al. Dose-Response Characteristics of Low- and Intermediate-Risk Prostate Cancer Treated with External Beam Radiotherapy. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2005 61: 993-1002.
What You Need To Know About The Prostate Cyberknife For Prostate Cancer
The main purpose of the prostate is to produce semen, a milky fluid that sperm swims in. During puberty, the body produces semen in a large number of cases, including enlarged prostate. This fluid causes the prostate to swell and cause a number of bladder-related symptoms. This is why the prostate is important to the body. It can be caused by many factors, including infection and inflammation.
A enlarged prostate can also cause blockages in the urethra. A blocked urethra can also damage the kidneys. A patient suffering from an enlargement of the prostate may have pain in his lower abdomen and genitals. If pain is present, a digital rectal examination will reveal hard areas. A doctor may prescribe surgery or perform an endoscopic procedure. If the enlarged prostate is not completely removed, it will shrink.
While the size of an enlarged prostate will influence the extent of urinary symptoms, men may experience a range of urinary symptoms. Some men have minimal or no symptoms at all. Some men will have a very enlarged prostate, whereas others will have a mild enlargement. Generally, the symptoms can stabilize over time. Some men may have an enlarged prostate but not notice it. If they have an enlarged colon, their physician can perform a TURP procedure.
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How Do Cyberknife Treatments Work Ask Our Patients
- The whole process was a piece of cake. I would lie down on the CyberKnife table for each thirty-minute treatment, relax and listen to my special music playlist. It is fascinating how a machine that makes no noise is so powerful. My side effects were minimal. After my fifth and final treatment, I had a little fatigue and urinary urgency that lasted maybe a day. Nothing bad enough to stop me from working or doing anything that I wanted to do. We would walk out of CyberKnife Miami and go to lunch while surgery patients, I know of, were dealing with pain, bleeding, and learning how to urinate again, says Don, one of CyberKnife Miamis patients.
- I cant believe anyone would choose anything other than CyberKnife. It was so easy. I did not feel a thing during or after treatment. Most times I just laid there, closed my eyes, and listened to the music. It has been nine years since my treatments, I am cancer-free and have no complaints. I wish more men knew about CyberKnife. Dont just do what your doctor tells you, do your homework, learn all your treatment options, says Joe, another one of CyberKnife Miamis patients.
And if youre curious for yourself, take a look at this time-lapsevideo showing Harold undergoing the CyberKnife procedure for prostate cancer.
What You Need To Know About The Prostate Long Term Side Effects Of Cyberknife For Prostate Cancer
The main purpose of the prostate is to produce semen, a milky fluid that sperm swims in. During puberty, the body produces semen in a large number of cases, including enlarged prostate. This fluid causes the prostate to swell and cause a number of bladder-related symptoms. This is why the prostate is important to the body. It can be caused by many factors, including infection and inflammation.
A enlarged prostate can also cause blockages in the urethra. A blocked urethra can also damage the kidneys. A patient suffering from an enlargement of the prostate may have pain in his lower abdomen and genitals. If pain is present, a digital rectal examination will reveal hard areas. A doctor may prescribe surgery or perform an endoscopic procedure. If the enlarged prostate is not completely removed, it will shrink.
While the size of an enlarged prostate will influence the extent of urinary symptoms, men may experience a range of urinary symptoms. Some men have minimal or no symptoms at all. Some men will have a very enlarged prostate, whereas others will have a mild enlargement. Generally, the symptoms can stabilize over time. Some men may have an enlarged prostate but not notice it. If they have an enlarged colon, their physician can perform a TURP procedure.
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Why Use Cyberknife For Prostate Cancer
Cyberknife is a good option for prostate cancer because:
- Treatment is convenient and complete in fewer fractions 5 compared to 44 fractions in traditional radiation.
- It spares more normal tissue.
- It is more accurate than traditional radiation.
- There are fewer side effects.
- Treatment is performed as an outpatient procedure.
In addition, prostate cancer is a slower-growing tumor. Because prostate cancer cells are growing slowly, they may be more sensitive to higher doses of radiation per fraction than other cancers. This means that delivering radiation in larger doses in fewer treatment sessions may improve outcomes.
Radiation Treatment For Prostate Cancer Using Cyberknife
CyberKnife is cutting-edge radiation technology also known as Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy or SBRT, according to the experts at CyberKnife Miami. It destroys prostate cancer with pinpoint accuracy leaving the surrounding healthy tissue virtually unharmed.
CyberKnife is an alternative radiation treatment for prostate cancer, with few, if any side effects.
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