If you’re searching for a non-invasive, pain-free and effective treatment for primary brain tumors (tumors which start in the brain) or brain metastases (cancer which has spread to the brain), Alaska CyberKnife has it. The CyberKnife Radiosurgery System is clinically-proven effective in treating all kinds of brain tumors in a variety of situations. The expert radiation oncologists at Alaska CyberKnife work closely with your neurosurgeon to determine the best fit for CyberKnife in your treatment plan. CyberKnife can be used in place of surgery to kill cancerous cells in hard-to-reach or dangerous places in the brain, or for those who either aren’t able to undergo surgery or prefer not to have surgery. CyberKnife is also effective in treating the tumor cavity following surgery and for recurrent brain tumors.
The effectiveness of the CyberKnife treatment stems from the orchestration of a flexible, robotic arm, state-of-the art software and a tumor-tracking imaging system. Together, our experts can see your tumor in real-time and direct hundreds of high-dose radiation beams to the exact location of your tumor, even as it moves ever-so-slightly. By focusing the radiation only on the cancerous cells and avoiding the healthy brain tissue, there is less risk of damaging vital functions of the brain and far fewer side effects. Patients can immediately return to the same level of function as was present prior to CyberKnife.
Choosing Alaska CyberKnife means acquiring additional experts to your team of doctors and specialists. Our Board Certified radiation oncologists will work with your team to develop the best treatment options for your individual case. Together, we will look at the following factors to determine your comprehensive treatment plan:
After reviewing these elements and with you in consultation, your team will come up with the best treatment plan which may include any or all of the following brain cancer treatments:
Other types of therapy are being developed and tested such as proton beam radiation therapy and biologic therapy.
Treatment for brain cancer is often more difficult than treatment for other types of cancer due to the location of the tumors and the effect that even a benign tumor can have on the everyday functions controlled by your brain. Tumors of any kind can permeate vital areas of your brain and put pressure on certain nerves that can cause life-threatening situations. In certain situations, your neurosurgeon may suggest that you have the tumor surgically removed immediately. Even with surgery, CyberKnife is often called upon to provide radiation therapy following tumor removal to decrease the risk that the cancer returns. CyberKnife can also offer an alternative to surgery for patients with tumors that are difficult to access with surgical tools. Some patients are too ill or just don’t want to go through the difficulty of surgery and the recovery process and so will choose the CyberKnife radiosurgery instead of surgery. CyberKnife can also be used for patients with recurrent brain cancer.
What draws doctors and patients to the CyberKnife system is its incredible, pinpoint accuracy. It’s effective because it can deliver high-doses of radiation that kill cancerous cells while sparing the healthy, vital tissue in the brain. This reduces the risk of complications from damaging healthy tissue as well as the side effects often seen by other treatment methods. The robotic arm is so flexible it can reach around your head at any angle to deliver beams of radiotherapy to the tumor. The software and imaging systems work together to track even the smallest movement in your tumor. The treatment course is completed in one to five treatments and are completely pain-free, allowing you to return to your normal daily routine immediately. For many patients, the CyberKnife is much more appealing than traditional radiotherapy treatments, which can go sometimes last for up to seven weeks or surgery, which can take weeks of recovery time.
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with brain cancer, don’t wait to find out how CyberKnife can be an integral part of your treatment plan. Give us a call right now at (907) 312-2112 and speak to one of our expert radiation oncologists. We think it’s important that you know all of your options and we can explain the procedures completely. You can also reach out to us using our online message form and we will respond to your questions or appointment request right away. Find out how effective the pain-free CyberKnife Radiosurgery System can be for you.
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