How Does the CyberKnife System Help Treat Lung Cancer?

November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month, and while lung cancer is commonly associated with tobacco use, it can strike anyone, including those who never have smoked cigarettes or have been around those who do so. According to the American Cancer Society, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States, accounting for one in five cancer deaths. While being diagnosed with lung cancer can be nerve-wracking, there are many effective treatments available, including the CyberKnife system. Here’s a closer look at how it works.

Highly Focused Radiation Treatment

The CyberKnife system is one of the most effective ways to target cancerous cells in the lungs without harming the cells of nearby sensitive organs, like the heart. The lungs have many vital organs surrounding them, and using radiation to target only cancer cells is a lot easier when using the proven system. The robotically controlled system delivers a specialized radiation therapy that treats different types of lung cancer and metastases and precisely targets only cancer cells.

Synchrony Respiratory Technology Targets Cancer

The radiation used to kill cancer cells and restore normal cellular conditions can be harmful to healthy cells, too. It’s important to ensure only the cancerous cells are exposed to the radiation and not the healthy cells in the lungs and nearby vital organs. The robotic system accounts for the simple motion that occurs while breathing and makes necessary adjustments so that only cancerous cells are exposed to the radiation. The treatment becomes more effective while minimizing side effects.

Many Great Treatment Benefits

The CyberKnife is a revolutionary treatment for lung cancer that does not require surgery and is non-invasive. There are no injections, incisions, or other invasive procedures because the system precisely targets the cancerous cells with radiation. It helps control the cancer while giving patients the benefit of reduced side effects, such as sore throats, difficulty swallowing, or shortness of breath that may be hard on patients who already have enough health problems due to the cancer.

For more information about the CyberKnife system and how it can help treat lung cancer and other types of cancer, reach out to our friendly and professional staff at Phoenix CyberKnife & Radiation Oncology Center. We’re available to answer any questions you may have for us.

Posted 11/17/23