The HealthEast CyberKnife Center at St. Joseph's Hospital offers new hope to patients with untreatable or inoperable brain tumors. CyberKnife surgery uses highly focused radiation therapy which allows some patients to avoid traditional surgery.

How CyberKnife surgery works

The CyberKnife system has great flexibility, providing increased access to tumors anywhere in the body. The system first locates the tumor using sophisticated imaging technology. It determines the shape and location of the tumor, and is then programmed to deliver large doses of precisely-aimed radiation. With its wide range of motion and flexibility, the CyberKnife can reach many tumors not accessible by other means.

This painless treatment is almost always performed as an outpatient procedure. Most patients require only one to five treatments ranging between 45 to 90 minutes per tumor.

Depending on the brain tumor, CyberKnife surgery alone may be all that is required. Other times, traditional surgery is needed to remove the bulk of the brain tumor and is followed by CyberKnife surgery to radiate the remainder of the brain tumor.

Learn more about HealthEast CyberKnife Center

Synchrony: respiratory tracking system

Our versatility in battling hard-to-treat tumors and lesions continues to improve. One invaluable device we feature is called Synchrony - an advanced respiratory tracking system.

Synchrony is a vest used in treatment that assists in synchronizing a patient's breathing with the precision radiation. Since a tumor can move with a patient's every breath, it can be challenging to be precise. But that problem is resolved with this newest tracking device.

Throughout the procedure, Synchrony monitors, targets and readjusts its calibrations to assure that CyberKnife is locked in on the tumor. The result is that physicians know exactly where the tumor is and can use maximum radiation without the fear of harming surrounding healthy tissues.