The CyberKnife Robotic Radiosurgery System deployed at the CHUM

In operation since recently at the Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM), the CyberKnife(R) Robotic Radiosurgery System, is revolutionizing the treatment of both cancerous and non-cancerous tumors anywhere in the body. Used in radiation oncology, the CyberKnife System is the latest word in radiosurgery technology. Designed to destroy tumours using radiation beams, it is the first system of its kind to treat tumors non-invasively to be installed in Canada. It provides a pain-free, non-surgical option for patients who have inoperable or surgically complex tumors, or who may be looking for an alternative to surgery.

Though its name may conjure images of scalpels and surgery, the CyberKnife treatment involves no cutting. Accuray's CyberKnife System uses stereotactic radiotherapy to treat tumours. One of the most remarkable aspects of the CyberKnife is its ability to track tumour movement as the patient breathes. Its unequalled precision means that the CyberKnife does not require the use of rigid head-frames that are screwed into the patient' skull to minimize any movement, such as in the case of brain tumour treatment. The CyberKnife uses two x-ray cameras installed on the ceiling for continuous image guidance.

"With precision that enables high doses of radiation to be channelled to a hair's-breadth, the CyberKnife reduces the time of treatment needed in most cases," adds Dr. Jean-Paul Bahary, chief of the Radio-oncology Department of the CHUM, and associate professor, Université de Montréal.

The CHUM will use the CyberKnife mainly in the treatment of intracranial tumours, spinal tumours, certain types of lung, urological, gastrointestinal, and otorhinolaryngological cancers, and for research.