The experts at the CyberKnife Center of Miami – a state-of-the-art cancer treatment center that uses radiation to treat cancer – are committed to providing patients with the best treatment, care, and access to information. So, we wanted to answer your most frequently asked questions about CyberKnife therapy starting with the
Five W’s: Who, What, When, Where, How, and of course Why!
Who is CyberKnife Miami?
CyberKnife Miami is the longest-standing CyberKnife center in the Southeastern United States, led by Dr. Mark Pomper, a board-certified radiation oncologist and CyberKnife Miami’s medical director.
We treat patients from across South Florida, the state, the country and even the world. CyberKnife Miami opened its doors nearly 20 years ago and was the 11th center to open in the United States. Since that time, we have successfully treated thousands of patients.
Our patients are not statistics.
They are individuals with families and friends who love them. We believe treating patients with compassion and state-of-the-art technology go hand in hand. That’s the advantage we have over other cancer treatment centers. Plus, our doctors and staff are experts in the field, often working to train others in how to use CyberKnife technology.
Who is a candidate for CyberKnife treatment?
According to Accuray, the maker of CyberKnife, the treatment can be used on prostate, lung, brain, spine, liver, pancreas, head and neck, breast, and kidney tumors. It can also be used on tumors where surgery isn’t an option or in the case of metastasis. So, patients with those types of cancers are often good candidates. It can also be used for Trigeminal Neuralgia as well as Acoustic Neuromas.
Over two decades, CyberKnife therapy has been used to treat thousands of patients worldwide, and right here in Miami and South Florida. In fact, we often see patients who were turned away from other centers and were told there was no hope.
What is CyberKnife anyway?
CyberKnife is a noninvasive radiation treatment system for cancerous and non-cancerous tumors as well as other medical issues where radiation may be part of the treatment plan.
The technology is also called stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT). It delivers radiation directly to the tumor leaving the healthy surrounding tissue unharmed.
“CyberKnife is the most refined way to target a tumor and minimize the dose to normal tissue,” says Dr. Pomper on CyberKnife Miami’s YouTube Channel.
What are the advantages of CyberKnife?
CyberKnife is non-invasive so there are no risks of infection like those associated with surgery. In general, treatment time is shorter than with traditional radiation. There is no anesthesia, little to no recovery time, and the procedures are done on an outpatient basis.
According to Accuray: “Accurate and precise delivery helps minimize irradiation of the healthy tissues surrounding tumors and potentially the risk of side effects, which may lead to better quality of life for the patient both during and after treatment.”
What are the side effects of CyberKnife treatment?
CyberKnife treatment offers minimal side effects. The side effects often depend on the area being treated, the type of cancer a patient has and a person’s overall health. Rest assure, at CyberKnife Miami we do everything we can to minimize side effects and the technology makes that easier.
“Because we are so precise in our treatment and we can minimize the dose to surrounding tissue, our side effects are minimal if any at all. If there are any, they usually subside within a few days and can be treated with over the counter medications,” says Dr. Pomper.
Where can I get more information about CyberKnife Miami?
That’s easy. To find out more about treatment with CyberKnife, you can call us at 305-279-2900.
You can also visit our website for more information. On our website you’ll find cancer-specific treatment information as well as patient stories and testimonials. You will also quickly see you’re not alone in this journey. Many patients have had similar experiences.
Our goal is to help you get through your treatment as easy and quickly as possible.
We answer all the questions you have and help you choose the best treatment option for your particular needs.
Why should I choose CyberKnife Miami?
Simply put, we have the best, most experienced CyberKnife team in South Florida.
We partner with our patients throughout their medical journey. We understand patients have choices and that there are sometimes different treatments for the same problem. We’re here to guide our patients and provide second opinions in many cases.
Our team will review your records prior to you coming so that you get the answers you need. Our scheduler works with you to make all the appointments needed for consultation, scans, and treatment. We know health issue can be scary, so we try to do the heavy lifting when it comes to appointments. That helps ease some of the burden.
How many treatments will I need?
That depends. Treatment plans differ from patient-to-patient and depends on your diagnosis.
Typically, one to five treatments are needed that’s because CyberKnife delivers strong, but pinpointed radiation. With CyberKnife, you are done with your treatments faster than with conventional radiation treatments, which may take weeks to months to complete.
How can I reach CyberKnife for a consultation or to begin treatment?
At the CyberKnife Center of Miami, our goal is to get you back to your life – cancer free and make your quality of life the best it can be while you’re going through cancer treatment.
If you would like to find out more about treatment with CyberKnife, call us at 305-279-2900 or go to our website now for more information www.cyberknifemiami.com.