CyberKnife System is the first and only fully robotic radiation Radiation therapy uses focused beams of intense energy to destroy cancer cells and shrink or control the growth of tumors. Radiation therapy works by preventing targeted cells from multiplying. The objective of radiation therapy is to destroy the harmful cells while minimizing damage to healthy cells.
2. What is CyberKnife for Prostate Cancer ?
Prostate gland plays a very important role in maintaining sexual potency of a man.
It provides nutritional medium and liquid medium for the discharge of sperm cells
during ejaculation. It is this medium that facilitates the movement and travel of
sperm inside the body of a female. Prostate can develop benign (tumorous) or
malignant (spreading) cancer. Cyberknife is usually prescribed for benign cancers.
The treatment is non-invasive and requires no incisions, hospitalization and blood
loss etc., the dosage of radiation is determined by the doctor after completing the
process of diagnosis
3. Before the Procedure
Your doctor will ask you to undergo certain diagnostic tests to confirm the presence
of the prostate cancer. One of the most common test is to check the PSA (prostate-
specific-antigen) levels in the body. The elevated levels of PSA means presence of
this particular problem. If the cancer is benign (non-spreading) in nature, then your
doctor might suggest you to consider this procedure. Your doctor will take the
decision after considering your health condition and discussing about your previous
illnesses. Your doctor will ask you take certain imaging tests to help identify the exact
location of the tumour.
5. How is it Performed?
The images taken during MRI and other imaging
tests are used to construct 3D images of the
prostate to pinpoint the affected area. These images
are then used for guiding the Cyberknife
robot/machine to target the radiation on to the
prostate gland. Prostate gland moves unpredictably
because of the movement of bladder and because of
the gas in the intestines, the Cyberknife machine
has the ability to track its movement and to ensure
that the radiation is being delivered only to the
target area.
6. The procedure requires you to lay down on the bed in a desired and comfortable
position and then the operator in the operating rooms guides the machine to
work as required, the machine has the ability to rotate around the body and to
deliver radiation from most extreme angles as well. The procedure does not
require any incision, hospitalization or suturing etc., you can go home the same
day.
Contd..
7. Recovery
As the procedure is non-invasive, it does not require any hospitalization and is an
outpatient procedure. However, your doctor might keep you under observation
for some time. You can go the same day and can continue with the usual
activities. It always suggested to not to engage in the strenuous activities and to
follow the routine suggested by your doctor.
8. Potential Risks
The treatment is non-invasive, so there is no risk of clinical infections, excessive
bleeding or any other symptoms usually associated with surgeries. The patient,
however, may feel discomfort because of the radiations that were used to treat the
problem. The usual side effects include Constipation, fecal incontinence, Urinary
retention, Blood in stool, Injury to rectal or bladder wall / nearby tissue, Erectile
dysfunction. You should discuss with your doctor regarding any discomfort that
you might feel.