Cyberknife surgery offer a new hope to patients for treatment of tumors previously diagnosed as inoperable or untreatable.

Cyberknife robotic surgery system for cancer treatment was invented by John R. Adler. It is a non-invasive system designed to deliver radiotherapy to cancer tumors in specific parts of the body accurately without having any impact on the surrounding healthy tissues.

Cyberknife is a state-of-the-art, radiotherapy equipment for robotic radiosurgery that allows oncologists to treat pathologies painlessly, without the need for an operation. Cyberknife uses high energy pencil beams of radiation which can be directed at any part of the body, from any direction with pinpoint accuracy (1 millimeter). The Cyberknife system consists of-

• An advanced lightweight linear accelerator (LINAC) which is used to produce high energy pencil beams of radiation
• A robotic arm (also called the brain of the machine) that controls the linear accelerator and makes it point from a wide variety of angles/trajectories
• A pair of X-ray cameras which continuously obtain images of the patient during the treatment session. The computer uses this information to target the beam with sub-millimeter accuracy

All three (linear accelerator, robotic arm and X-ray cameras) work in tandem to track the tumor’s position. Any movement of the tumor or patient is detected by the cameras and then the robot adjusts its position to allow re-targeting of the linear accelerator before delivering the radiation beam.

The biggest advantage in a Cyberknife treatment is that no anesthesia is required, no hospitalization is required and no open surgery is required. As there is no open surgery, the risk complications normally associated with an operation are eliminated, as is the need for a long recovery time. This means that everyday activities can be resumed immediately. This makes treatment suitable even for those who are not well enough to cope with the surgery.

A Cyberknife treatment session is very short and is performed on an out-patient basis. The duration of a single session is only as long as an appointment with a dentist (i.e. 30 to 90 minutes) and therefore the patient can leave the same day. Also, the results that can be achieved in a conventional treatment with 30 to 40 sessions can be achieved with Cyberknife treatment in just 5 to 6 sessions and that too with more accuracy and less damage to the healthy tissues. The recovery is remarkably quick; the patient gets rapid relief from pain and other symptoms.

WHAT CAN THE CYBERKNIFE SYSTEM TREAT

The Cyberknife system has FDA clearance for treatment of tumors in any part of the body. It can be used for both cancerous and benign tumors. Cyberknife can be used to treat all stages of cancer (I to IV - metastases).

Following cancers can be treated using the Cyberknife system:

• Brain cancers
• Lung cancers
• Pancreatic cancers
• Liver cancers
• Prostrate cancers
• Cancers involving the spine
• Renal cell carcinoma
• Colon cancer
• Ovarian cancer
• Uterine cancer
• Trigeminal neuralgia
• Metastatic orbital tumors, orbital lymphomas and orbital inflammations (tumors or inflammations around the eye)
• Other cancers

CyberKnife is usually recommended when the cancer is concentrated in an area no bigger than 6 centimeters. For tumors or metastases bigger than 6cm, a similar radio therapy called IMRT( or Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy) is recommended, which is not as precise as Cyberknife but the results are good if the tumors are not solid.

BENEFITS OF CYBERKNIFE SURGERY

Cyberknife treatment offers many advantages over other methods of cancer treatment. The various benefits of Cyberknife treatment are:

• No anesthesia
• No hospitalization
• No open surgery, incisions, etc
• No pain
• Very high accuracy
• Minimal radiation exposure to healthy tissues and organs
• Quick recovery and immediate return to normal routine
• Even if tumors have received the maximum allowed dosage of radiation, they can still be treated with Cyberknife system

CYBERKNIFE SURGERY COST IN INDIA

Cyberknife treatment in India costs around US $10,000, which is a fraction of the cost one would have to pay in the developed world (cost of Cyberknife treatment in US is between $25000-$70000).

Till date, more than 100,000 patients have been treated worldwide by the CyberKnife System. Coming to India for CyberKnife treatment of complicated and inoperable tumors is a smart choice as it presents better options and offers hope to the patients who cannot afford such treatment in their home country. Cyberknife treatment in India is a very cost effective option, and while the number of centers providing such treatments in India is few, these centers are all high quality and technologically advanced.

Medical tourists from the U.S., U.K., Europe, Middle East and Asia can benefit from quality Cyberknife radiosurgery in India. This is because India offers:

• Modern, hygienic hospitals with 5-star facilities and JCI Accreditation
• Internationally qualified, English-speaking surgeons and specialists
• The latest advanced medical equipment and techniques
• Medical staff, among whom, many have trained and gained experience from the U.S.
• Excellent patient care and a special department for international patients
• Not too far or too expensive to travel

Many world countries are today emerging as important centers for medical travelers. In addition to affordable costs, these offer high quality treatment and facilities. Whatever destination you choose, make sure that the place is worth your time, money and effort and the doctors are well equipped to handle your case effectively. If unsure, partner with a good medical tourism source and let them take care of everything while you sit back and relax!

A good medical travel agency can recommend physicians and facilities, negotiate medical costs for any budget, and make all hotel and travel arrangements. Before or after treatment, a patient is free to explore the sounds and sights of India.

With the simplicity of the Cyber-knife in India, vacationing and medical treatment in India can be a much more beneficial experience than remaining at home with standard chemotherapy as the only option.

Paradigm Healthcare facilitates low cost Cyberknife Surgery in India. Fill out the free estimate request form for a free quote & more information.