Understanding the Differences Between Cyberknife and Gamma Knife

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a condition that requires radiation therapy/ radio surgery, you may have heard of two options called CyberKnife and Gamma knife.

Gamma Knife and CyberKnife treatments have some similarities; however, the CyberKnife System is the first dedicated stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) treatment system that can also be used to give stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for procedures throughout the body.

Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is a treatment that is administered using the CyberKnife System and Gamma Knife to treat malignancies, and non- malignant lesions (benign lesions) vascular lesions, and functional impairments, including pituitary adenoma, meningioma, AVM and trigeminal neuralgia.

GAMMA KNIFE

Radiation therapy/ Radiosurgery

“CyberKnife and Gamma Knife are both alternatives for cancer patients who do not wish to undergo the risks of surgery. Both treatments are intended to treat recurrent or inoperable brain tumors”, says radiation oncologist Dr. Sridhar PS.

While these treatments are highly effective in treating a range of conditions and various types of tumors and cancers, they have some significant differences.

By understanding the difference between Gamma knife and CyberKnife, you can make an informed decision about which one is right for you or your loved one.

CYBERKNIFE VS GAMMA KNIFE

CyberKnife	Gamma Knife
Non-invasive, the patient lies comfortably while the system moves around them quickly	A large metal framework is fitted with screws to the patient’s head during treatment
Anesthesia is not required as it is a painless procedure	Requires mild sedation
Can address a tumor in the head, brain, neck, or spine from over 1,400 positions	The gantry-designed Gamma Knife system is restricted to 201 positions
CyberKnife can treat cancer in any area of your body in 1 – 5 radiation treatments	Can only address cancer in the brain or cervical spine with a single high-dose radiation treatment
Uses a robotic arm to deliver high-energy x-ray beams to the target area	Uses cobalt-60 sources to deliver high doses of gamma radiation
Slightly better accuracy due to its ability to track the movement of the tumor in real-time	Highly precise
Treatment duration is 15 minutes to several hours	Treatment can last for several hours to a full day

Radiation specialist Dr. Sridhar PS adds, “CyberKnife can essentially treat tumors from any angle, anywhere in the body, thanks to its flexible robotic architecture, real-time image guidance, and tumor tracking.”

Cyberknife vs Gamma Knife Side Effects

Both Cyberknife and Gamma Knife may cause side effects, such as fatigue, headache, or nausea. In rare cases, they may cause more serious side effects, such as brain swelling or seizures.

There may be some differences in the specific side effects and risks associated with Cyberknife and Gamma Knife. Still, it is difficult to make generalizations because the particular risks and side effects depend on many factors, including the type and location of the brain abnormality being treated, the dose of radiation being used, and the individual patient’s medical history and overall health.

According to cancer specialist, Dr. Sridhar PS, “It is important to discuss all of the potential risks and benefits of these treatments with a qualified medical professional before deciding if they are the right treatment option for you.”

Cyberknife Vs Gamma Knife For Meningioma

A meningioma is a brain tumor that develops from the meninges, the membranes surrounding the brain, and the spinal cord. Meningiomas are typically benign (non-cancerous) but can sometimes be malignant (cancerous). They are the most common type of brain tumor and are more commonly found in women than men.

Both alternatives have definite advantages, but they differ in terms of comfort and precision. The following are some variations between Cyberknife and Gamma Knife:

• Design of Surgical Tools: The Gamma Knife provides little radiation beyond the target area and was created for minimally invasive brain surgery. On the contrary, CyberKnife has a robotic arm that lessens the impact of patient movement while the treatment is going on. CyberKnife was created for uses other than brain surgery.

• Comfort and convenience for patients: Gamma Knife therapists affix a head frame to the head in order to keep the patient’s head from moving throughout the procedure. Thanks to CyberKnife, the radiation oncologist in comfort and convenience can apply non-rigid immobilization with the help of a facemask that practically shrink-wraps the treatment table.

• Sessions: Gamma knife radiosurgery may only require one session depending on your condition and treatment plan. CyberKnife frequently needs several visits spaced out over a one to five days. Multiple treatment visits may be a burden for some people.

Cyberknife Vs Gamma Knife For Brain Metastases

Brain metastases are cancer cells that have spread to the brain from a primary cancer site elsewhere in the body.

Dr. Sridhar PS explains, “These cancer cells can grow and multiply in the brain, leading to tumors that can damage brain tissue and affect brain function. Brain metastases are a common complication of cancer, and they can occur in many different types of cancer, including breast, lung, colon, kidney, and melanoma.”

Cyberknife and gamma knife are two types of radiosurgery that can be used to treat brain metastases. Both techniques involve the use of high-energy VS higher doses of radiation in metastases to destroy cancer cells.

Cyberknife is a type of robotic radiosurgery that uses a linear accelerator to deliver high-energy X-rays to a specific area of the brain. The linear accelerator is mounted on a robotic arm that can move around the patient’s head, allowing the radiation to be delivered from multiple angles. Cyberknife is a non-invasive procedure that does not require an incision, and it can be completed in 1 – 5 sessions, depending on the size and number of tumors.

A Gamma knife uses a specialized machine to deliver a high radiation dose to a specific brain area. The device produces a beam of gamma rays focused on the tumor, destroying the cancer cells while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. Gamma knife is typically a 1-time treatment completed over several hours in 1 day.

FAQ

Q. Are Gamma Knife and CyberKnife the same thing?

No, gamma knife and cyberknife are two different types of radiosurgery. Both techniques involve the use of high-energy radiation to treat brain tumors and other conditions, but they differ in the way the radiation is delivered.

Q. Is CyberKnife better than radiation?

Cyberknife is more precise in targeting the tumor than traditional radiation therapy. Cyberknife treatment is delivered using a linear accelerator mounted on a robotic arm, which allows the radiation to be delivered from multiple angles. This can be beneficial in cases where the tumor is located in a difficult-to-reach area or where traditional surgery may be riskier. Cyberknife may also have a lower risk of side effects than other types of radiation therapy because it delivers a higher dose of radiation to the tumor while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissue.

Q. What is the success rate of CyberKnife?

According to a review of studies published in the journal Cancer, Cyberknife was found to be effective in achieving complete or partial remission around 90% of patients with brain metastases, and it had a median survival rate around 24 months.

In another study published in the journal Radiology, Cyberknife was effective in achieving complete or partial remission in up to 87% of patients with pancreatic cancer, and it had a median survival rate of 11.8 months.

Q. What are the cons of CyberKnife?

Cyberknife can cause side effects like any medical treatment, although they are generally mild and temporary. The most common side effects of Cyberknife include:

• Fatigue that may last for a few days or weeks after treatment.
• Some people may experience a headache after Cyberknife treatment.
• Cyberknife may cause skin reactions such as redness, swelling, or blistering at the treatment site. These reactions are usually temporary and resolve on their own.
• Some people may experience nausea or vomiting after Cyberknife treatment.
• Some people may experience changes in mental function or cognition, such as difficulty with memory or concentration, after Cyberknife treatment. These changes are usually temporary and resolve on their own.

Q. Who is a candidate for CyberKnife?

Cyberknife is generally recommended for people with small or medium-sized tumors and certain types of cancer, including brain tumors, pancreatic cancer, liver cancer, and prostate cancer.

Cyberknife may be a good option for people who are not candidates for traditional surgery or who may have a higher risk of complications from surgery. It may also be an option for people who have already undergone surgery and need additional treatment to destroy any remaining cancer cells.

Q. What are the disadvantages of Gamma Knife?

• Gamma Knife is most effective for treating small, well-defined brain tumors or abnormalities. It may not be suitable for larger or more diffuse abnormalities.
• Gamma Knife may not be recommended for patients with certain medical conditions, such as bleeding disorders or metal implants in the head.
• Gamma Knife may not be recommended for very young or very old patients because their brains may be more sensitive to radiation.
• Gamma Knife may cause side effects like any medical treatment, such as fatigue, headache, or nausea. In rare cases, it may cause more serious side effects, such as brain swelling or seizures.