You may have heard about CyberKnife noninvasive radiosurgery from a friend – perhaps a friend whose breast cancer is now in remission, or a relative whose prostate cancer was successfully treated this way. Or, perhaps your doctor referred you to us.
CyberKnife Center of Miami is changing the way people with serious diagnoses are finding hope, health, and healing. We know you have questions – so we’ve collected our most frequently asked questions (FAQs) and provided answers for you detailing what CyberKnife Miami is all about.
What Is CyberKnife?
This innovative technology offers the most advanced radiosurgery technique available to treat cancerous and non-cancerous tumors and lesions nearly any where in the body. It works by delivering high doses of radiation to specific parts of the body to destroy tumors.
Is CyberKnife Invasive?
CyberKnife is actually not a knife at all but rather a noninvasive radiation procedure. It uses a device with a robotic arm that delivers intense beams of radiation to the precise area where the tumor is located. The skin is not cut and the tissue surrounding the tumor is not harmed.
What About Hard-to-Reach Tumors?
CyberKnife is especially sought after when dealing with tumors located in hard-to-reach areas of the body that otherwise might be at risk with regular radiation, traditional surgery, or chemotherapy treatments.
Do I Need a Referral and Do You Take Insurance?
You probably won’t need a referral from your doctor, but it is best to check with your insurance provider to be sure. We do take insurance, including Medicare.
What Can I Expect at My First CyberKnife Appointment?
CyberKnife sessions are performed as an outpatient procedure that lasts from 30 to 90 minutes. Afterwards, you may return to work or school or carry on with your day as usual. You should also be able to drive yourself. It’s up to you if you wish to bring someone with you.
How Many Sessions Can I Expect for Treatment?
Depending on the size and location of the tumor, you may need multiple sessions to complete treatment. Your doctor will advise how many treatments are recommended, but one to five sessions is usually what is required.
How Do I Know if I Qualify?
- CyberKnife is ideal for patients who:
- Have a condition that is considered advanced or inoperable
- Have received the maximum dose of other radiation allowable
- Are too young or too fragile for frame-based radiosurgery
- Want or require alternatives to traditional surgeries or therapies
- Can receive radiosurgery treatments supplemental to traditional oncological care
Are There Any Side Effects?
There are few, if any, side effects. Patients can go about their day before and after treatment. There are no sores, no burning, no hair loss, no scars.
Is CyberKnife Expensive?
Because it is noninvasive and is performed on an outpatient basis, CyberKnife is extremely cost-effective because you often need fewer treatments. For example, with prostate cancer, on average, CyberKnife requires five treatment sessions, as compared to 45 treatments with traditional radiation therapy. Plus, you need not miss work to recover from treatment as you might with traditional forms of treatment like surgery.
What Is the Success Rate?
The success rates of CyberKnife are extremely high because the treatment is so precise. Gradually the tumors shrink and disappear over time. If the tumor comes back, we often can treat it again as necessary.
Why Choose CyberKnife Miami?
Because our CyberKnife team of experts is the most experienced and qualified in South Florida. We at CyberKnife Miami call it “The Beam of Life”™. We’ve treated more then 3,500 patients since we opened 15 years ago with highly successful outcomes. The procedure not only saves lives, but maintains the patient’s quality of life during treatment.
Cancer Treatment Center in South Florida
If you are seeking alternatives to conventional cancer surgery or radiation therapy, contact CyberKnife Center of Miami today to see if CyberKnife treatment is right for you. Call us today at (800) 204-0455 to schedule your appointment.