Radiosurgery and Radiotherapy
Radiosurgery and Radiotherapy
Q. Tell Us About CyberKnife
The CyberKnife represents a groundbreaking advancement in radiation therapy delivery. This state-of-the-art system offers exceptional precision through image-guided technology, effectively addressing movement during treatment (intra-fraction).
CyberKnife is versatile in its ability to treat tumors throughout the body with remarkable accuracy, delivering a high dose of radiation precisely to the target while minimizing radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissue, thus reducing toxicity. In contrast to the conventional radiation therapy treatment, which typically spans 6 to 7 weeks, CyberKnife achieves its therapeutic goals in just a matter of days, often as short as 5 days.
Q. What Is The Speciality Of CyberKnife?
CyberKnife treatment is primarily distinguished by its exceptional precision, real-time image-guided therapy, minimal acute toxicity, and its capacity to deliver high doses of radiation in a shorter timeframe, often referred to as hypofractionated radiation therapy.
Q. How It Is Different From Standard Radiation Therapy Treatment?
The dose delivery in CyberKnife is with dose painting method which is highly precise and deliver high dose to target while minimal dose to adjacent structures. CyberKnife is the only radiation therapy delivery system that takes care of tumour movement during treatment with real time tumour tracking. CyberKnife has the unique and effective tumour tracking system (Synergy). CyberKnife has the sub-millimeter accuracy in treatment delivery which no other system has.
Q. What Are The Common Indications Of CyberKnife?
While CyberKnife is capable of treating a wide range of tumors located throughout the body, it is typically recommended for the following indications:
1) Lung, prostate, pancreas, liver, and gall-bladder cancer.
2) Benign or low-grade brain tumors, as well as recurrent or residual high-grade brain tumors.
3) Metastatic tumors in the brain, liver, bone, and lung.
4) Recurrent or residual tumors, particularly in the head and neck region.
5) Boost treatment in conjunction with Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT).
Q. All Tumours Can Be Treated With CyberKnife?
Tumor size is not typically a contraindication for CyberKnife treatment. However, this technology is commonly utilized for high-dose treatments in cases of relatively small-volume disease. It is not typically employed for post-operative adjuvant radiation therapy or prophylactic radiation therapy.
Q. Is There Any Risk In CyberKnife Treatment?
Indeed, while CyberKnife delivers high-dose radiation in a short time, its excellent precision in dose delivery minimizes acute toxicity. Nonetheless, there are concerns regarding the potential long-term effects of such short-course, high-dose radiation treatments.
It’s important to acknowledge that poverty can indirectly contribute to cancer risk due to limited access to healthcare and resources for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
However, it’s crucial to recognize that some environmental factors, such as naturally occurring background radiation and cancers related to hereditary genetic abnormalities, are beyond personal control and cannot be mitigated through individual actions.
Q. What Is The Response In The CyberKnife Treatment?
CyberKnife frameless stereotactic whole body radiation therapy is relatively new concept and almost 180 centers throughout the world (mostly in Northe America) have this machine. There are enough short and mid-term data showing the efficacy of this short course treatment.
Q. How Long Patient Need To Stay In Chennai For The Treatment?
The preparation phase for CyberKnife treatment typically requires 3 to 4 days, involving tasks such as PET scans and fiducial placement. The treatment itself usually spans a maximum of 5 days, with patients commonly staying for 1 to 2 weeks. However, it’s worth noting that recent approvals have expanded the use of CyberKnife to include protracted courses of radiation lasting 3 to 4 weeks, particularly for larger tumors. Additionally, the combination of IMRT with a CyberKnife boost treatment has gained approval for addressing residual tumors following initial IMRT therapy.
Q. What Is The Cost Of Treatment?
The cost of CyberKnife treatment can fluctuate depending on the number of treatment fractions required and other preparatory procedures. On average, the cost typically falls within the range of 2.25 to 4 lakhs. It’s important to note that many treatment facilities offer substantial concessions for economically challenged patients, making this advanced medical technology more accessible to a wider range of individuals.
Q. What Your Personal Feeling About CyberKnife?
I personally feel that CyberKnife is the radiation therapy delivery system of the future. With more awareness, more matured treatment result data and better acceptability of short course treatment schedules the indications of CyberKnife will be extended.
FAQs
Cancer refers to the unchecked proliferation of anomalous cells within a specific region of the body, potentially capable of metastasizing to other regions throughout the human body.
Cancer not only poses a significant threat to a person’s physical health but also can lead to profound psychological and financial challenges in the patient’s life.
While cancer used to be associated with dire consequences, today, thanks to advancements in healthcare, the prognosis and life expectancy for cancer patients have significantly improved, offering them a more optimistic outlook.
Metastasis denotes the spread of cancer (tumor cells) to other parts of the human body, where they can infiltrate and potentially lead to severe and life-threatening consequences.
Numeric staging indicators are often added to each letter in cancer staging to convey the size and extent of the primary tumor as well as the degree of cancer spread. A higher number typically signifies a larger tumor or a more extensive spread of the disease.
40 percent of cancer Brought on by tobacco or pan masala particularly the oral and lung cancer.
- Approximately 10 percent could be due to hereditary causes for example breast and ovarian cancer.
- Approximately 15 percent could be due to obesity such as breast, uterus, etc.
- 5 percent may be dietary and food preservation including stomach cancer.
- Approximately 30% of cancer Don’t Have Any unknown triggers such as pancreatic cancer.
Anyone can create cancer; however, the danger of getting it increases with age. Certain cancers could be connected to a few occupational dangers.
Oncologist is specialized doctors for the treatment of cancer, maybe a surgical oncologist, radiation oncologist, or medical oncologist.
Any persistent bulge or swelling
- Sudden bleeding
- Like coughing blood
- Bleeding from gut/pee
- Encourages weight loss
- Persistent cough Especially If You’re a smoker
- Difficulty swallowing
- Changes in your voice
- Mouth or tongue ulcer for over 3 weeks
- New mole or modifications from an existing mole
About two-thirds of that cancer is associated with lifestyle and can be averted
- Obesity is among the largest risk factor for cancer.
- By preventing tobacco use around 30 percent of oral and lung cancer cases could be prevented
- Normal screening also helps notably in prostate cancer for guys and cervical and breast cancer cases in guys.
Following the individual presents with symptoms that are imagining, a Battery of tests and analyses are performed to confirm the diagnosis of malignancy
- Biopsy
- Endoscopy
- Detection and therapy help?
- It is essential to Be aware of symptoms and diagnose it. First disease stages as early detection and treatment may make a powerful effect on the disease prognosis in fact at many times can be life-threatening or cause fewer complications, since also lessens the healthcare expenses and clinical intervention.
Metastasis denotes the spread of cancer (tumor cells) to other parts of the human body, where they can infiltrate and potentially lead to severe and life-threatening consequences.
The primary treatments for cancer typically include:
1. Chemotherapy: This involves the use of drugs or chemical agents to target and kill cancer cells.
2. Surgery: Surgical procedures are used to physically remove cancerous tissue or tumors from the body.
3. Radiation therapy: High-energy X-rays or other radiation sources are employed to target and destroy cancer cells.
Treatment plans for cancer can vary widely depending on the type and stage of cancer, as well as individual patient factors. In many cases, a combination of these treatments may be used to effectively combat the disease. The choice of treatment is determined by a thorough evaluation of the specific cancer diagnosis and its characteristics.
Indeed, chemotherapy is a medical treatment approach that employs potent chemicals or drugs to target and destroy rapidly dividing cells within the body. This is particularly effective in targeting cancer cells, which tend to proliferate quickly. However, chemotherapy can also affect healthy cells that divide rapidly, leading to various side effects, which is why it is carefully administered and monitored by healthcare professionals.
Chemotherapy drugs can be administered through various methods, including:
1. Chemotherapy infusions: These are typically delivered intravenously (IV) into a vein, allowing the drugs to circulate throughout the body.
2. Chemotherapy pills: Some chemotherapy drugs are available in oral form, in the form of pills or capsules, which can be taken by mouth.
3. Chemotherapy shots: Injections of chemotherapy drugs can be administered into muscles or under the skin.
4. Chemotherapy lotions: In some cases, topical chemotherapy creams or lotions are used for skin cancers.
5. Intraperitoneal chemotherapy: This involves the delivery of chemotherapy drugs directly into the abdominal cavity to treat cancers in that area.
6. Intrathecal chemotherapy: Chemotherapy can also be administered directly into the cerebrospinal fluid in the spinal cord and brain for certain types of cancer.
The choice of administration method depends on the type of cancer, its location, and the specific chemotherapy drugs being used. Some chemotherapy may indeed be given directly to the cancerous site, such as intraperitoneal chemotherapy for abdominal cancers.
The ability to work during cancer treatment can depend on several factors, including:
1. The type of treatment you’re receiving: Some cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy, can cause significant side effects that may affect your ability to work. The severity of these side effects varies among individuals and depends on the specific treatment regimen.
2. Your general health: Your overall health and physical condition can influence your ability to continue working during cancer treatment. If you are otherwise healthy and in good shape, you may have a better chance of maintaining your work activities.
3. The type of work you do: The nature of your job plays a crucial role. If your job involves physical labor or requires you to be on your feet for extended periods, you may find it more challenging to work during treatment compared to a desk job that allows for flexibility.
4. How you feel during treatment: Cancer treatment can cause fatigue, nausea, pain, and other side effects. How you feel on a day-to-day basis during treatment can impact your ability to work. Some days you may feel well enough to work, while on others, you may need to rest.
Doctors and healthcare professionals will consider these factors when advising you on whether it’s safe and feasible for you to continue working during cancer treatment. In some cases, adjustments to your work schedule or duties may be recommended to accommodate your treatment and recovery needs. It’s important to communicate openly with your healthcare team and your employer to make appropriate arrangements and prioritize your health during this challenging time.
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