CyberKnife and headframes (often used with Gamma Knife) are both stereotactic radiosurgery techniques, but they differ significantly in how they immobilize patients and deliver radiation. CyberKnife is non-invasive, using a lightweight mask and real-time tracking, while headframe systems involve a rigid frame bolted to the skull.
Here’s a more detailed comparison:
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Non-invasive:
Uses a custom-fitted, lightweight mesh mask to stabilize the head and neck.
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Real-time tracking:
Employs sophisticated technology to track tumor movement during treatment, allowing for accurate targeting even if the patient moves slightly.
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Flexible treatment:
Can deliver radiation from thousands of angles, allowing for precise targeting and potentially minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue.
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Treats a wider range of tumors:
Can treat tumors throughout the body, including those in the brain, head, neck, spine, lung, prostate, liver, and pancreas.
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Multiple treatment sessions:
Can deliver radiation in multiple lower doses over a few days, or a single, higher dose.
- Invasive: Requires a head frame to be rigidly fixed to the skull with screws.
- Static imaging: Relies on pre-treatment imaging to determine tumor location, and the patient is immobilized during treatment.
- Limited angles: Radiation is delivered from a fixed set of angles, which may limit the ability to spare surrounding healthy tissue.
- Primarily used for brain and spinal tumors: While some headframe systems can be used for other areas, they are primarily used for brain and spinal tumors.
- Typically single high-dose treatment: Often delivers a single, high-dose treatment.