Cutting-Edge Cancer Treatment CyberKnife Saves Patient
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New technology CyberKnife kills cancerous cells with extreme accuracy.
It might look like the sort of device a Bond villain would keep in his secret lair, but the highly advanced robotic machine CyberKnife is in fact giving hope to cancer victims who otherwise would have none.
In the UK alone, approximately 7,600 people are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer every year. In most cases, by the time such a diagnosis is reached, the cancer is significantly advanced. This is why patients have such bleak prospects, with only 13 per cent surviving after one year. Celebrated Dirty Dancing and Ghost star Patrick Swayze ranks amongst pancreatic cancer sufferers.
Mr Robert Ferrant, 62, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in December of last year and given mere months to live. However, through a course of treatment from CyberKnife, Mr Ferrant’s prospects have dramatically improved.
The treatment works by delivering beams of highly concentrated radiation which target cancerous tumours. This in of itself is not dissimilar to pre-existing cancer treatments.
Where CyberKnife comes into its own is the greater degree of accuracy that can be employed during treatment. X-Ray cameras monitor the progress of the radiotherapy beams and can be carefully repositioned in order to avoid damaging healthy tissue around the cancerous tumour.
The cutting-edge technology can cost up to £3 million with a course of radiotherapy treatment costing £22,000. However, given the other options available, Mr Ferrant told BBC News that his decision to receive CyberKnife treatment was “a no-brainer”. Dr Andy Gaya, who runs a Harley Street clinic said: “For Mr Ferrant specifically, without having a go at this treatment, his chance of cure or long term survival was zero.”
“But CyberKnife gives him the chance of long-term survival and even cure.”
Would I be a candidate for this procedure of CyberKnife for surgery?
I have three lymphnodes that are affected and one of which is sitting on a vein and surgery being dangerous.
I have already had radiation treatment with previous bouts of cancer on this left side as well as chem and have a recurrence since October 2009.
I am very happy that the treatment started in India.