Consultation: Upon your first visit you will meet with our board certified radiation oncologists. You and your family will have your questions answered in a comforting and caring environment. Our CyberKnife cancer treatment team will explain to you the pros and cons of choosing CyberKnife, and they will explain what will happen during your cancer treatment.

Meet Your Medical Coordinator: After completion of the consultation every patient will have a medical coordinator assigned to them to guide them through each step of the Cyberknife process. We understand how difficult this time is for you and your family, so our trained medical coordinators will help you through the entire process. From technical questions on the Cyberknife technology to insurance authorization, our medical coordinators are here for you.

Treatment set-up: This step helps to determine your course of cancer treatment. You will be fitted for a soft, flexible mesh mask or body mold to help minimize movement during your cancer treatment. This is a painless process. Treatment of certain kinds of tumors outside of the head (Prostate, Liver, and Pancreas) may require the insertion of tiny gold markers called fiducials. These will help identify the location of cancer cells. You will then undergo imaging procedures to determine the exact location, size and shape of your tumor. The process begins with a standard high-resolution computerized tomography (CT) scan. For certain tumors, other imaging techniques, such as molecular resonance imaging (MRI), angiography or positron emission tomography (PET) may also be used. All exams will be scheduled for you through your personal medical coordinator.

Treatment planning: Your cancer treatment team inputs your tumor information into advanced CyberKnife software that calculates the number, direction and intensity of radiation beams that will be used during your cancer treatment. The CyberKnife develops a treatment plan that is specific to your unique tumor. You do not need to be present during this step. Your doctor will communicate with you about your cancer treatment plan.

Treatment delivery: Be sure to wear comfortable clothes and no jewelry the day of your appointment. Feel free to bring your own music with you to enjoy during your cancer treatment. Make sure you bring someone to drive you home, as we may give you a mild sedative to make you more comfortable. During your treatment you will lie comfortably on a treatment table, which automatically positions you. We will help position you on the table and secure your flexible mesh mask/body mold. Because the cancer treatment is painless, you will be awake throughout your entire procedure, which usually lasts anywhere from 30-90 minutes, depending on the complexity of the tumor. After your procedure, you are free to go home. Depending on the course of cancer treatment, you may have to return for more sessions. Most patients have anywhere from one to five sessions with CyberKnife.

Follow-up: After your cancer treatment, your doctor will review follow-up imaging or other tests to assess the tumor's response to the delivered radiation and measure your progress.