Cyberknife technology provides cancer patients with minimally invasive treatment option.

WHEN asked, many cancer patients who undergo radiation treatment for brain tumors will identify the process of having one's head screwed into a head frame as being one of the most physically painful aspects of having cancer. The tumor is terrifying enough--but having screws drilled into your skull takes the discomfort to the next level.

Groundbreaking modern technology and the precision accuracy of a special new form of surgical "robot" called the CyberKnife are helping provide patients with a new--and far less invasive--treatment alternative. CyberKnife was developed for patients with complex tumors and other conditions of the brain, skull, neck and spine. This advanced image-guided stereotactic robotic system enables surgeons to treat conditions that are unreachable with other stereotactic systems.

The FDA-approved CyberKnife is the only stereotactic radiosurgery/radiotherapy system that actually utilizes the skeletal structure of the body as a frame for localizing and "locking in" on the cancerous target. This sophisticated image guidance technology spares patients the pain and inconvenience associated with the conventional head frame attached with screws to the skull. The CyberKnife's robot arm compensates for even slight human movements during treatment by monitoring and tracking patient position continually during the process.

There are currently only about ten CyberKnifes operating around the county--but that number is projected to grow as word of this new technology spreads. In Southern California, CyberKnife treatment is available at the Newport Diagnostic Center in Newport Beach.

Dr. Farzad Massoudi, Associate Clinical Professor of Neurosurgery at UCLA School of Medicine, utilizes the CyberKnife for his patients and is enthusiastic about the outcomes thus far. "CyberKnife is a paramount device for the future of neurosurgery and the field of radiosurgery," he said, "because it allows safe and minimally invasive treatments of the brain and spine with maximum patient comfort."

The CyberKnife's image-guided robotic system includes treatment planning, imaging and delivery components, all of which are controlled by a powerful computer workstation. After CT and MRI scans are obtained, physicians complete the planning process and reference images are calculated to provide a basis for image guidance during treatment.

During actual treatment, the patient lies on the table and is positioned for the CyberKnife. No medication is needed. Once the setup is approved, treatment proceeds automatically. A record of the treatment is stored electronically. A purely out-patient procedure, the CyberKnife's non-invasive qualities mean that following treatment, the patient is free to return home. No hospital stay is required.

According to Stafford G. Chenery, Ph. D., Director of Radiologic Physics at Newport Diagnostic Center ,CyberKnife provides additional benefits beyond the dramatic increase in patient comfort by not needing the traditional head frame. He listed fewer complications and the ability to treat the tumor at a higher dose (which can lead to improved chance of cure) as potential benefits of the CyberKnife. He also added that the CyberKnife's ability to treat in multiple "hypofractionated" (3-5) treatments helps spare the patient the inconvenience of a protracted treatment course while making the technology available to treat more patients.

"It's gratifying as a neurosurgeon," said Massoudi, "to have technology at our disposal that significantly improves the patient's treatment experience and quality of life overall."