Increased Use of CyberKnife for Spinal Tumors
Recent data has shown that the use of the CyberKnife Robotic Radiosurgery System manufactured by Accuray Inc. in the treatment of spinal tumors increased 56 percent over the past year. A study, published in the journal Spine, of 500 spinal tumor patients that underwent surgery has helped validate this system.
The CyberKnife uses a miniature linear accelerator (LINAC) mounted on a robotic arm to deliver concentrated beams of radiation to the targeted tumor from multiple positions and angles. The Cyberknife system locates the position of the tumor in the body and uses its robotic arm to deliver highly focused beams of radiation that converge at the tumor. In addition, since the spine moves, there is a high risk that the spinal cord could move into the radiation field. The Cyberknife is able to track patient and tumor movement during the procedure. Therefore, the tumor receives enough radiation to kill the tumor cells without destroying the healthy surrounding tissue. According to Georgetown University, the benefits of the Cyberknife Robotic Radiosurgery System include:
- “Minimally invasive surgery technique is utilized.
- Radiation beams may be adjusted to avoid critical organs.
- Dosage distributions adjusted to minimize radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissue.
- Treatment of lesions untreatable by open surgery or other radiosurgical systems.
- Lesions that have previously undergone the maximum allowed dose of radiation can be treated.
- Improved comfort due to the elimination of the invasive head frame.
- No sedation during treatment.
- Decreased pain and no recovery time, usually performed as an out-patient procedure.
- Lower risk/fewer complications than traditional open surgery.”
February 23, 2007 Related topics: New Technology & Innovation, Surgery, Psychiatry & Neurology