Radiation for breast cancer can be used as a stand-alone treatment and sometimes it’s combined with other therapies like surgery and chemotherapy.
The CyberKnife Center of Miami wants you to know you have choices when it comes to your breast cancer treatment plan.
CyberKnife uses radiation called Stereotactic Partial-Breast Radiation, and our center was one of the first in South Florida to offer this treatment.
So we asked Dr. Mark Pomper, board-certified radiation oncologist and CyberKnife Miami’s medical director questions about CyberKnife for breast cancer.
Radiation Treatment for Breast Cancer
Question: What are the treatment options for women with breast cancer?
Dr. Pomper: Breast cancer is an area where women really need to find out what their options are because CyberKnife is an amazing option, which has not really been fully exploited.
Question: How long has CyberKnife been used for breast cancer?
Dr. Pomper: It’s been used for over 10 years in very few places, and the success rate is very, very high. This is for early breast cancer. It’s especially useful in ladies who have left-sided cancers, which is close to the heart or with small breasts where you really want to be super precise.
Question: What is the advantage of CyberKnife versus other types of radiation for breast cancer?
Dr. Pomper: CyberKnife is the most precise way we can treat these cancers. Right now, it’s only good for early breast cancers, but for them, you can target the lumpectomy cavity and minimize any possible radiation dose to the heart and to the lung. This is a big advantage for patients because thank God they’re able to live a long time and long-term effects are coming out and this can avoid those problems.
Question: What can you tell us about CyberKnife’s accuracy?
Dr. Pomper: CyberKnife is amazingly precise and has robotic technology. It moves with the patient. So as the patient breaths naturally, all of the radiation stays focused on the tumor.
Question: How many CyberKnife treatments do breast cancer patients typically need?
Dr. Pomper: Only one to five treatments as opposed to 35 when you go to a regular cancer center. This shortened treatment time allows a patient to keep up with her normal life so she can do the things that are important in her life.
Breast Cancer Treatment Miami
CyberKnife Miami offers a type of radiation used to treat stage I and stage II breast cancers as well as metastatic breast cancers in some cases.
The CyberKnife Center of Miami can help when it comes to deciding on the right breast cancer treatment plan.
It is a faster, safer way to treat breast cancer offering:
- outstanding tumor control,
- better cosmetic results,
- less radiation exposure to the surrounding vital organs – like the heart and the lungs.
When doctors decrease the amount of radiation near the heart and lungs, the risk of developing side effects like heart disease, reduced lung function or secondary cancer is also lowered.
Long-term studies confirm the effectiveness of CyberKnife for breast cancer. The 10-year results from a London-based study show that treatment using CyberKnife radiation with fewer doses and fewer treatments is as effective in the long run as traditional treatment for early-stage breast cancer.
Cancer Treatment Center Miami
CyberKnife Miami opened in 2003 and was the 11th center of its kind to open in the United States.
Since that time, we have treated hundreds of cancer patients.
We know that breast cancer is a scary diagnosis, and we’re ready to partner with you through this challenging time.
If you are interested in learning more about CyberKnife Miami and our breast cancer treatment call us now at 305-279-2900 or go to our website www.cyberknifemiami.com.