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A Simple, Painless
Outpatient Treatment Process (Use Accuray
art of women’s back)
Step 1: Treatment Setup
Fiducial Placement – If
you are undergoing CyberKnife treatment
for a spinal or body (non-head) lesion,
you may require a short outpatient procedure
to implant several small metal markers
(fiducials) near the tumor to enable the
CyberKnife to track tumor position throughout
treatment.
Making a Mask or Body Mold – A
custom soft mask (for head/neck treatments)
or body mold is formed and used to help
minimize movement during the treatment
to ensure your comfort. The process
is simple and painless.
Imaging– Prior
to CyberKnife treatment, a CT, MRI or PET
scan is performed to determine the size,
shape and location of the tumor.
Step 2: Treatment Planning
The CT, MRI or PET scan data is downloaded
to the CyberKnife treatment planning computer
where doctors will use advanced software
to customize the number, intensity and
direction of radiation beams the robot
will send to the target. You do not
need to be present during this step.
Step 3: Treatment Delivery
Arriving for Treatment – Wear
comfortable clothing and no jewelry. You
are also welcome to bring a favorite CD
to listen to during treatment. And most
importantly, try to relax knowing this
will be a painless procedure.
During Treatment – During
a CyberKnife procedure you will lie comfortably
on the treatment table, which automatically
positions you. The treatment generally
lasts between 30 and 90 minutes and is
typically completed in one to five visits.
Following Treatment – You
will leave the CyberKnife suite and usually
resume normal activity shortly after treatment.
Step 4: Follow Up
Follow up – Follow
up imaging is performed in the months after
treatment to assess the tumor’s response
to the radiation.
Your CyberKnife Team
CyberKnife treatment utlilizes a team
approach where medical experts collaborate
with you as their central focus. Team
members may include your surgeon, radiation
oncologist, medical oncologist, physicist
and other team members within the hospital.
More Information on CyberKnife
The CyberKnife Society, a coalition of
doctors and affiliated healthcare professionals
specializing in CyberKnife radiosurgery,
has a website at www.cksociety.org that
provides extensive patient information. In
addition, you can contact other patients
who have undergone CyberKnife treatment
through the CyberKnife Patient Support
Group www.cyberknifesupport.org. The
manufacture website www.accuray.com is
another good resource.
More information on CyberKnife
at Roper St. Francis Cancer Center
If you have
any questions about your CyberKnife treatment
or would like to schedule a consultation
please call us at
(843) 402-CARE
Cyberknife Center coordinator 843-724-2143
Radiation Oncology Department 843-724-2140
Roper St. Francis
Radiation Oncology
316 Calhoun Street, Charleston, SC 29401
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