CyberKnife’s Synchrony Advantage: CyberKnife tracks and follows a tumor in motion using its Synchrony® Respiratory Tracking System, which combines real-time imaging with a flexible, robotic arm. This technology allows patients to breathe normally during treatment, as the system synchronizes the radiation beam with the tumor’s movement to maintain sub-millimeter precision.
Key Components of Motion Tracking
Fiducial Markers: For tumors in the abdomen or chest that move with breathing (e.g., lung, pancreas, kidney), tiny gold seeds called fiducial markers are implanted in or near the tumor before treatment. These markers serve as real-time signposts for the imaging system to identify the exact location of the target.
External Tracking System: The patient wears a lightweight vest with LED markers. This vest provides an external reference for the Synchrony system to continuously monitor the patient’s breathing patterns and chest wall movement.
Correlation Model: A computer creates a “correspondence model” by correlating the external chest markers with the internal fiducial markers. This establishes a real-time relationship between the patient’s external breathing motion and the tumor’s internal position. This model is continuously updated throughout the treatment to maintain accuracy.
Continuous Imaging: Throughout the treatment, the CyberKnife’s X-ray imaging system takes continuous images to verify the tumor’s actual internal position. This helps the system adapt to any changes in the patient’s breathing pattern.
How the System Delivers Treatment
Preparation: Before the first session, the patient has imaging scans (CT, MRI) and, if needed, receives fiducial marker implants.
A custom-fitted body cradle ensures comfort and consistent positioning.
Treatment starts: The patient lies on the treatment couch wearing the tracking vest. The CyberKnife’s robotic arm, which carries a linear accelerator, is pre-programmed with a detailed treatment plan.
Real-Time Synchronization: Using the correlation model, the system continuously tracks the tumor’s exact location as the patient breathes naturally.
Robotic Adjustment: The flexible robotic arm adjusts its position and moves in tandem with the tumor, delivering high-dose radiation from hundreds of possible angles with sub-millimeter precision.
Motion Compensation: If the tumor moves out of the beam’s path, the system pauses radiation delivery until the beam is once again aligned with the tumor, protecting surrounding healthy tissue.
Treatment Completion: This process continues until the entire prescribed radiation dose has been accurately delivered to the tumor. The procedure is painless, and patients can typically resume normal activities immediately after.
Bottomline: The technology allows optimal tumor cell death, with the least damage to heathy surrounding tissue and vital organs, and greatly reduced the risk of side effects.
For more information, or to set up a consultation to determine if we can help you, call CyberKnife Miami at 305-279-2900. Chances are you’ll be glad you did.