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The CyberKnife® System is unique from standard radiation therapy systems, in that treatment is delivered in one to five treatment sessions or fractions rather than over a period of several weeks. Following is the simple process leading up to treatment, once the patient’s medical history and imaging studies have been reviewed and the patient is determined an appropriate candidate for CyberKnife.
Step 1: Initial Consultation
During the inital consultation, the patient will meet with several members of our highly trained staff, including the radiation oncologist, the CyberKnife nurse, radiation therapist, and possibly one or more surgical specialists. At this time, the procedure, treatment objectives and risks and benefits will be explained in depth; questions are welcomed and encouraged.
Step 2: Patient Preparation
The CyberKnife is a completely frameless treatment system, which often utilizes bony structures in the body as landmarks to track tumor location.  For some tumors or lesions, however, tiny gold seeds, called fiducials, may be implanted to accurately guide the radiation beams. If fiducial placement is needed, the CyberKnife Center will coordinate this procedure with a surgeon or an interventional radiologist at our partner facility, Lafayette General Medical Center, as an outpatient procedure.
In addition, either a plastic “mesh” mask (used with brain, head or neck tumors) or a comfortable foam body mold will be made to help minimize movement during treatment. This process is simple and painless.
Step 3: Treatment Planning
 High-resolution scans (including CT, BRI, or PET) will be used to identify the exact size, shape and location of the tumor along with the surrounding vital structures to be avoided. The state-of-the-art software at the CyberKnife Center will use these images to determine the number, intensity and direction of the radiation beams to be used.
Be aware that this may take a few days depending upon the complexity of the treatment. When the planning is complete, a date and a time for treatment(s) will be scheduled.
Step 4: CyberKnife Treatment
- The patient lies flat on the treatment couch while the imaging system acquires the first set of x-rays. The treatment table then moves to the correct position for accurate alignment with the robotic arm.
- The robotic arm then slowly moves around that patient to deliver the radiation beams—often greater than 100 beams. Imaging occurs throughout the treatment before the radiation beam is delivered to constantly track the tumor target. This process takes anywhere from 30 to 120 minutes, depending on the treatment plan.
- There are cameras in the treatment room so the CyberKnife team can monitor the entire process, and a microphone allows the patient to communicate to the therapists if necessary.
- Typically, the patient may resume normal activities following treatment.
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