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Indu, a young 32-year old housewife noticed whistling sounds in
her left ear 1 year before she consulted her physician in Agra. One thing led
to another, and an MRI scan of her brain showed a benign tumor involving her
hearing nerve, an Acoustic Neuroma. Her neurosurgeon advised her to undergo
open surgery.
She came to us, and we realised that we can treat her using
radiosurgery, which is a new and advanced method that is totally non-invasive.
Two weeks later, she underwent a radiosurgery procedure, and went back home to
her normal daily activities the same day! There were no risks, scars, no pain,
no ICU stay or a week stay in the hospital, and no anxious husband waiting
outside the operating room. Now, her MRI scans done 5 years later have shown us
that this treatment was a cure, and her hearing remains the same.
The above case shows that CyberKnife radiosurgery system used as an alternative to surgery, or in conjunction with other treatments plays a significant role in the management both non-cancerous and cancerous brain tumors.
The technique that has been around in India for about 3-4 years
has been mostly used to treat a range of cancerous and non cancerous/benign
tumors in the body including the prostate, lung, liver, etc., is now being
commonly used to kill tumors of brain and spine as well.
What is CyberKnife?
Basically, CyberKnife radiation surgery is the most advanced, non
invasive radiation therapy tools available to treat especially non-cancerous as
well as cancerous and other diseases with the help of precise beams of
high-dose radiation. It is a no pain and a no risk day-care treatment wherein
patients are discharged as soon as the session gets over and therefore, no
hospitalisation is required. The treatment uses a sophisticated image guidance
system to beam high doses of radiation directly to your tumor.
The CyberKnife radiation therapy has clinically proven success rates, however, it works the best for a tumors that's upto 2-2.5 cm in size. However, in a few rare cases it is also used as an treatment option to cure brain tumors that either cannot be operated because of their location in the head, or the patients who cannot undergo brain cancer surgery due to their poor medical condition, etc. And, the success of the treatment largely depends and increases beyond 90% upon choosing the right patient.
The next generation of CyberKnife - M6 is highly precise when
compared to the earlier ones used in India as this offers some of the exceptional
features and delivers a maximum dose of radiation directly to the tumor from
many different angles with sub-millimeter precision for the higher success
rates. Also, the emitted focused beams of intense energy destroy cancer cells
and shrink/control the growth of tumors. It further prevents the cancerous
cells from multiplying. Infact, the objective of radiation therapy is to
destroy the harmful cells while minimising damage to healthy cells.
Besides, the CyberKnife system automatically adjusts itself and
tracks the tumor which aids in minimising radiation exposure to healthy organs
and tissues. The CyberKnife radiation surgery offers multiple benefits compared
to conventional radiation treatments and surgery.
Cyber Knife Vs conventional
Gamma Knife
For brain tumor or cancer patients, Gamma Knife treatment is not
as convenient or comfortable, largely because Gamma Knife requires an invasive
head frame be bolted into the skull. Besides, the entire treatment process;
right from imaging to planning to treatment itself has to happen on the same
day. Typically, the head frame is mounted to the patient’s skull in the
morning, followed by imaging scans which take place. The patient has no choice
but to wait in the hospital during the treatment planning process with the
metal head frame bolted to their skull.
Compared to this, the CyberKnife is a non-invasive, real-time
motion tracking technology for accurate delivery of high-dose radiation
therapy. Instead of a bulky head frame, CyberKnife patients are provided with a
soft, mesh mask during the treatment.
Moreover, treatment with CyberKnife is flexible; imaging is
performed few days in advance, thereby leaving the radiation oncologist with
enough time to design and finalise a customised treatment plan. Once the plan
is set in place, the patient will return for a non-invasive, pain-free
experience. Using advanced tumor-tracking technology, the CyberKnife system is
able to either deliver one single high-dose treatment, or smaller doses (upto
5) over the course of two to five days. This approach limits side effects and
enables most patients to return to their regular routine the same day.
Additionally, clinical studies have shown that patients with certain cancerous
and non-cancerous conditions in the brain, neck and spine have a better outcome
with a lower dose of two to five fractionated radiation treatments than a
single, large dose.
Nothing is required of patients during treatment with CyberKnife,
except to relax and lie as still as possible. The treatment is usually
completed in four to five treatment sessions, over a week’s time. The treatment
through CyberKnife is cost effective and it is almost similar to the cost of
other surgeries.
CyberKnife Brain Cancer
Treatment At A Glance
üThe procedure is
non-invasive and therefore, requires no anesthesia.
üThe flexibility of the
robotic arm allows to direct multiple beams of radiation to attack cancerous
cells from any angle.
üIt causes no harm or
damage to the surrounding cells/tissues.
üCyberKnife radiosurgical
treatments may be given in short intervals of three to five sittings.
üSide-effects are minimal
and patients are back to regular activity within an hour or two of their
treatment.
üThe treatment is done on
outpatient basis.
