At your convenience, an outpatient planning session will be conducted.
During the visit, a custom mask or body mold designed to inhibit movement
during CyberKnife treatment will be created. The molding process is simple
and painless.
A CT scan and possibly an MRI are performed to confirm the exact size,
shape and location of your tumor, along with surrounding vital structures.
All are used for treatment planning purposes.
Patients undergoing extracranial (non-head) treatment also require the
implant of small metal markers (fiducials) prior to the initial set-up. This
procedure is also done on an outpatient basis.
Treatment visits
On the day of your treatment, you will be asked to wear comfortable
clothing and no jewelry. Because CyberKnife treatment is painless, no
anesthesia is required. You will lie on a treatment table and will be fitted
with the mask or body mold created earlier.
During your treatment, you will be asked to lie still. You will be awake
throughout the entire procedure, which typically lasts 30 to 90 minutes. The
image guidance system periodically takes x-ray images and compares them to
data from the CT scan to ensure that the treatment is accurately targeted.
Treatment sessions are performed on an outpatient basis. In most cases,
you can resume normal activities immediately upon leaving the hospital.
Follow-up visits
As with any radiosurgery or radiation therapy procedure, follow-up
imaging and physician consultation are required to monitor your progress.
For more information or to request a 2nd opinion please
click here or call the St.
Luke's 2nd opinion program at 888-649-6892.
