Believe it or not – Lung cancer is one of the most frequently treated types of cancer at the CyberKnife Center of Miami, where we use state-of-the-art radiation called stereotactic body radiation therapy or SBRT to treat lung cancer with precision, less downtime, and fewer side effects.
Our experts know that a lung cancer diagnosis can be terrifying, but it can be treatable, and CyberKnife offers some distinct advantages according to our experts at CyberKnife Miami.
“CyberKnife is the most refined way to target a tumor and minimize the dose to normal tissue,” says Dr. Mark Pomper, board-certified radiation oncologist and medical director of CyberKnife Miami on CyberKnife’ s YouTube Channel.
CyberKnife Therapy for Lung Cancer
Here are the benefits of noninvasive lung cancer treatment with CyberKnife:
- Excellent tumor control because of precision radiation
- Lower risk of damage to healthy tissue
- Better quality of life while undergoing treatment.
- CyberKnife delivers high-dose radiation while continuously tracking respiratory movement so that as the patient breathes, only the tumor is targeted, greatly reducing the risk of harmful side effects.
- Typically, treatments take 30 to 60 minutes.
- Treatments are done on an outpatient basis.
- Most patients need three to five treatments.
- And if the tumor return, it can often be treated again.
This video provided by the maker of CyberKnife details how the treatment works, and why precision matters when it comes to treating lung cancer.
CyberKnife Side Effects for Lung Cancer
CyberKnife treatment can be done in conjunction with chemotherapy or on its own, depending on each patient and the treatment plan suggested.
Side effects from CyberKnife can include:
- Fatigue
- Coughing
- Side effects are minimal and usually go away quickly
According to the maker of CyberKnife:
“It also provides excellent clinical outcomes for patients with inoperable peripheral lung tumors. Furthermore, a pooled analysis of two randomized trials indicates that lung SBRT is better tolerated and might lead to better overall survival compared to surgery for operable early-stage lung cancer.”
CyberKnife Miami: Patient Success Stories
Hildegard Ireland is a former smoker with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder. In 2008 she was diagnosed with lung cancer. She had no symptoms, but during a routine check-up her doctor saw polyps in her throat and sent her for further testing.
The results: Lung cancer.
“I was in absolute shock when the results came back. I had no symptoms. I quit smoking that day,” Hildegard said.
Hildegard’s doctors recommended CyberKnife for her treatment. SBRT can treat most lung cancers and lung cancers that have spread from all other forms of cancer, including liver, colon, or breast cancers for example.
After treatment, her tumor disappeared, but another tumor appeared two years later, again the following year, three years after that and once again, another one showed up in a lung in 2014.
“I’ve been treated four times with CyberKnife over the last eight years, and my last scan was clear. I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for CyberKnife. I’m living proof that you can live and survive with lung cancer,” she said.
Hildegard’s story reminds us that early detection is key to surviving lung cancer as is constant monitoring after a diagnosis.
Cancer Treatment Center Near Me
CyberKnife Miami opened its doors nearly 20 years ago and was the first CyberKnife center to open in the Southeast.
We treat patients from Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, and Monroe counties as well as patients from across the country and the world, including the Bahamas where they don’t have CyberKnife technology.
If you would like to find out more about lung cancer treatment with CyberKnife, call us at 305-279-2900 or go to our website now for more information www.cyberknifemiami.com.