Cyber Knife Surgery in India

CyberKnife is a robotic radiosurgery system that delivers precisely focused radiation to tumours anywhere in the body, using a linear accelerator mounted on a robotic arm that moves around the patient with sub-millimetre accuracy. Despite the name, no cutting or incision is involved; it is a form of radiation therapy, not surgery in the traditional sense.

What sets CyberKnife apart

Unlike Gamma Knife, which is used specifically for conditions in the brain, CyberKnife can treat tumours throughout the body, including the brain, spine, lung, liver, pancreas and prostate. Its robotic arm continuously tracks the target in real time, adjusting for natural movement such as breathing, which allows it to treat tumours in areas that move, something older radiosurgery systems could not do as precisely. Most treatments do not require the rigid head frame used in some other radiosurgery systems, using a lightweight mask or no fixation device at all for body treatments.

Fewer, higher-dose sessions

CyberKnife typically delivers treatment over just 1 to 5 sessions, compared to the several weeks of daily sessions used in conventional radiotherapy, by giving a higher, more precisely targeted dose per session. This approach, called stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) when used outside the brain, shortens the overall treatment timeline considerably while maintaining strong local tumour control.

Who it is used for

CyberKnife is often recommended for patients whose tumours are considered inoperable or high-risk for conventional surgery due to location or the patient's overall health, as well as for patients seeking a non-invasive alternative. It is commonly used for early-stage lung cancer, localised prostate cancer, spinal tumours, liver tumours, and brain metastases, among other conditions. Your radiation oncologist confirms suitability based on the size, number and location of your tumour(s).