Physicians at Precision Radiation Oncology treat a wide range of gastro-intestinal malignancies. The most common cancers treated are esophageal cancer, stomach cancer, pancreatic cancer, rectal cancer and anal cancer. Treatments are often delivered in single daily treatments over 5-5.5 weeks. In many cases, chemotherapy is delivered during radiation treatments to increase effectiveness.
CyberKnife for Pancreatic Cancer
CyberKnife treats pancreatic cancer with high-dose radiation. Clinical studies are ongoing to test the CyberKnife’s effectiveness in treating localized, non-metastatic pancreatic cancer. However, preliminary results involving patients with relatively advanced cases of pancreatic cancer suggest that CyberKnife radiosurgery treatment is well tolerated and provides some clinical benefit.
Prior to treatment, three to five small gold markers known as fiducials in or near the tumor that enables the CyberKnife to pinpoint the tumor location throughout treatment. Implanting the markers is an outpatient procedure that takes about an hour. About a week later, patients are fitted with a custom body mold made of soft material that they lie on during treatments. The fitting process is painless. Patients then undergo a CT scan that assists in developing a customized treatment plan.
CyberKnife treatments can be delivered before surgery in operable cases and as part of a comprehensive treatment in patients that are not immediately eligible for surgery. A total of 5 treatments are delivered to the pancreatic tumor. Physicians at Precision Radiation Oncology are currently developing a treatment protocol for operable and inoperable pancreatic cancer designed to maximize tumor control and improves the chances of a successful surgery.