CyberKnife surgery was invented by Dr. John Adler, M.D., of Stanford University Medical Center. This new stereotactic radiation technology is now being used by hospitals around the world to treat tumors and cancer.
Significance
Advanced technology allows the CyberKnife to treat tumors that are otherwise thought of as inoperable.
Operation
Using highly concentrated radiation, the CyberKnife procedure can attack tumors in any part of the body, according to Georgetown University Hospital. In addition, the University of Tennessee Medical Center says that by using a computer-guided robotic arm the radiation can be shaped to match that of smaller tumors, affording the treatment far better precision.
Uses
The University of Tennessee Medical Center explains that while CyberKnife radiation treatments can be used to treat lesions on the brain and spine, the procedure is more often applied to treating tumors and cancer.
Benefits
Radiation makes the CyberKnife procedure non-invasive. The system lowers the risk of complications and side effects associated with invasive surgery while reducing recovery time, according to Georgetown University Hospital.
Other Options
The University of Tennessee Medical Center notes that other radiation techniques, such as Gamma Ray procedures, can only target tumors on the brain and spine, giving it a small application range. These treatments also cause the patient pain because they use metal pens, wit head braces transmitting the radiation treatment. They also cannot target tumors as precisely as the CyberKnife procedure.
Tags: Medical Center, CyberKnife procedure, Tennessee Medical, Tennessee Medical Center, University Tennessee, University Tennessee Medical
