CyberKnife for Pancreatic Tumors
CyberKnife treats pancreatic cancer with high-dose radiation. Clinical studies are ongoing to test the CyberKnife’s effectiveness in treating localized, non-metastatic pancreatic cancer. However, preliminary results involving patients with relatively advanced cases of pancreatic cancer suggest that CyberKnife radiosurgery treatment is well tolerated and provides some clinical benefit.
Prior to treatment, doctors implant between three to five small metal markers known as fiducials in or near the tumor that enable the CyberKnife to pinpoint the tumor location throughout treatment. Implanting the markers is an outpatient procedure that takes about an hour. About a week later, patients are fitted with a custom body mold made of soft material that they lie on during treatments. The fitting process is painless. Patients then undergo a CT scan that assists in developing a customized treatment plan.
Key Advantages of CyberKnife for Pancreatic Tumors
- Noninvasive, no incisions, painless
- No anesthesia or hospitalization required
- Treats patients in 5 or fewer visits
- Reaches tumors from virtually unlimited directions with robotic mobility
- Enables clinicians to maximize and conform the dose to the tumor target
- Constantly tracks tumor movement throughout treatment
- Pinpoint accuracy
- Few side effects and minimal radiation exposure to healthy tissue surrounding the tumor
- Immediate return to daily activities