CyberKnife® units are currently getting a lot of requests for patients seeking a treatment for pancreatic cancer. The new stereotactic radiosurgery system (CyberKnife) lends itself particularly well to treating this form of cancer, however, it is normally limited for those people who have otherwise inoperable cancer. The second most important criterion is that there is no spread of the disease. At the moment, patients being selected for the new treatment are initially assessed by a multidisciplinary cancer team and provided that there is no spread and the cancer is otherwise inoperable the chances are good that they will receive CyberKnife®.
Dr Nick Plowman explains the new treatment in his expert article. He says: “Hundreds of pencil beams aimed from various “node stations” located on a virtual sphere around the patient all concentrate the radiation on the target. This dosing is accurately delivered to exactly conform with the high dose deposition required around and within the perimeter of even the most irregular shaped target. There is also a fast dose fall off at the edge of the tumour, which means that healthy tissue is safe guarded. Therefore, tumours either in the head or body can now be accurately pinpointed and receive a high sterilising radiation dose.
Abnormal, uncontrolled cell division resulting in a malignant tumour that may invade surrounding tissues or spread to distant parts of the body.
Full medical glossary
A large abdominal organ that has many important roles including the production of bile and clotting factors, detoxification, and the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates and fats.
Full medical glossary
In physics it is the tendency of a force to twist or rotate another object
Full medical glossary
Relating to a group of healthcare professionals with different areas of specialisation.
Full medical glossary
Relating to the pancreas.
Full medical glossary
Energy in the form of waves or particles, including radio waves, X-rays and gamma rays.
Full medical glossary
A group of cells with a similar structure and a specialised function.
Full medical glossary
An abnormal swelling.
Full medical glossary
