Lung cancer kills more people than breast, cervical, prostate and melanoma cancers combined yet few of us know it.
Being diagnosed with lung cancer is terrifying but it doesn’t have to be a death sentence any more.
Since November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month, radiation oncologist, Dr. James Schwade is educating patients on therapy options, including what is becoming the number one treatment of choice by lung cancer patients which is CyberKnife Radiotherapy.
While many doctors are unfamiliar with this therapy, Dr. Schwade, medical and executive director of the CyberKnife Center of Miami says, “The benefits of this non-invasive treatment far out-weigh other options and are numerous.” They include:
- Excellent control of lung tumors due to precise radiation targeting
- Lower risk of damage to healthy tissue surrounding tumors
- Better quality of life for patients while undergoing treatment
Despite it’s name, Dr. Schwade explains that CyberKnife is not a knife at all. There are no incisions or anesthesia involved. The CyberKnife delivers high doses of radiation directly to tumors.
Dr. Schwade says, “When treating lung cancer with traditional external beam radiation, it’s difficult to deliver an effective dose without risking damage to healthy surrounding tissue. The CyberKnife delivers much stronger, precise doses of radiation, targeting only the tumor, leading to tumor destruction and little chance of it coming back.”
Most important, it allows patients to continue living a normal life during and after treatment. With a lower incidence of side effects, CyberKnife therapy patients can continue working and going about their everyday lives.
Prior to the procedure, the body is scanned using high resolution CT or MRI scans to determine the exact size, shape and location of the tumor.
Treatments usually take 30 to 90 minutes and are done on an outpatient basis over about 5 days. If tumors come back they are simply treated again, as many times as necessary.
Dr. Schwade says the CyberKnife is usually done on patients who are unwilling or unable to undergo open surgery. However, patients with excessively large tumors are usually not good candidates for the procedure.
If you are looking for an alternative to invasive surgery, CyberKnife Radiosurgery may be right for you. Contact the CyberKnife Center of Miami and we can help you decide the best treatment for you or a loved one.
Call us at 800-204-0455 and visit our website – www.cyberknifemiami.com
“Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can’t help them, at least don’t hurt them.”
~ Dalai Lama
About Dr. James Schwade:
Medical & Executive Director CyberKnife Center of Miami
Dr. Schwade is an Internationally recognized Radiation Oncologist who has practiced for more than 31 years in Miami.
He holds the ranks of Clinical Professor of Radiation Oncology at the Miller School of Medicine at the University of Miami; Clinical Professor, Department of Radiology, at the Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine at Florida International University; and Adjunct Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Florida International University.
A graduate of the Medical College of Wisconsin, Dr. Schwade served his internship and residency in Radiation Oncology at the University of California, San Francisco before joining the staff of the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Maryland.
In 2003, Dr. Schwade opened the CyberKnife Center of Miami, the first CyberKnife location in the southeastern U.S., Certified and trained to utilize the CyberKnife, Dr. Schwade also founded the CyberKnife Center of Tampa Bay and Palm Beach Gardens.
He is noted for his expertise in the introduction of state-of-the-art technology and facilities.
In addition, Dr. Schwade has authored or co-authored over 100 scientific articles and lectured extensively in the U.S. and abroad.
Board Certified in Therapeutic Radiology (Radiation Oncology) by the American Board of Radiology, Dr. Schwade is a member of numerous state and national professional societies. He is a fellow of the American College of Radiology (FACR), a fellow of the American College of Radiation Oncology (FACRO) and a fellow of the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (FASTRO).