Resources
November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month
November 23, 2024 - November is National Lung Cancer Awareness Month. During the month, people throughout the country come together to support the lung cancer community and raise awareness about the disease. Lung cancer is a cancer that forms in tissues of the lung, usually in the cells lining air passages. The two main…October is Facial Pain Awareness Month
October 22, 2024 - Facial Pain Awareness Month is observed every October. The Facial Pain Association (FPA) raises awareness about facial pain during this month by sharing information, stories, and promoting events. Facial pain can range from acute to chronic and can be caused by tissue or nerve injury. One of the conditions that…10 Early Warning Signs of Prostate Cancer Every Man Should Know
September 24, 2024 - Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting men, but thanks to advancements in PSA testing and treatment, survival rates have dramatically improved. In fact, the prostate cancer death rate dropped by half between 1993 and 2013. It has since stabilized. According to the American Cancer Society, this…Dr. Gokhale Discusses Trigeminal Neuralgia on Daytime Columbus
July 16, 2024 - Imagine smiling or chewing triggering electroshock-like pain on the side of your face. For people suffering from Trigeminal Neuralgia, or TN, these normal movements can do just that. Even though TN is rare, its intense pain greatly affects the quality of life for those diagnosed with the condition. Our radiation…Dr. Widman Discusses Prostate Cancer on Daytime Columbus
July 2, 2024 - According to the American Cancer Society, over 10,000 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed in Ohio this year. It is the second most common cancer in American men, but one that has a high survival rate thanks in part to the screening and treatment options offered for the…National Cancer Survivor Month: Celebrate, Advocate, Support
June 14, 2024 - June is National Cancer Survivor Month, a time to celebrate and recognize the millions of thrivers, inspire those newly diagnosed, and, most importantly, celebrate life. During the month, cancer survivors and supporters in communities around the world unite to celebrate life and raise awareness of the challenges faced by those…Prostate Cancer: Know Your Options
April 26, 2024 - Thanks to advancements in research and treatment methods, men diagnosed with prostate cancer have more options and resources available to them than ever before. Whether you or a loved one has been newly diagnosed with prostate cancer, talking to your doctor to learn more about the disease and treatments that…Understanding Brain Tumor Treatment Options
March 11, 2024 - According to the Central Brain Tumor Registry of the United States (CBTRUS), it is estimated that approximately 94,390 new cases of primary malignant and non-malignant brain and other central nervous system (CNS) tumors will be diagnosed in the United States in 2023. What patients may not know is that a…Trigeminal Neuralgia Treatment: CyberKnife vs. Gamma Knife
February 20, 2024 - Trigeminal neuralgia is a painfully debilitating neuropathic disorder. Commonly referred to as TN, the condition is a disorder of the trigeminal, or fifth cranial, nerve that controls sensation in the face. TN patients experience episodes of intense, electroshock-like pain on either side of the face, in the forehead or along…Dr. Gokhale Discusses Trigeminal Neuralgia on Good Day Extra
Watch Abhay Gokhale, MD, radiation oncologist at Columbus CyberKnife, discuss Trigeminal Neuralgia, how the condition is treated with the CyberKnife® system, and the benefits of CyberKnife treatment with the team at Good Day Extra.
Dr. Widman Discusses Prostate Cancer on Good Day Extra
Watch Columbus CyberKnife Medical Director, Douglas W. Widman, MD, discuss prostate cancer (risk factors, signs and symptoms, current stats, and diagnosis) and how the disease is treated with the CyberKnife® system on Good Day Extra.
Second Opinion Services
Dr. Widman, a Radiation Oncologist at Columbus CyberKnife, discusses the importance of a second opinion and highlights the CyberKnife technology for prostate cancer.
Break Free from TN Pain
Vernon Traxler endured the agony of trigeminal neuralgia for over 16 years. Discover how the the CyberKnife brought him relief. Watch him share his journey and how he feels after the treatment.
Stop the Severe Suffering
Appearing on Daytime Columbus, our radiation oncologist, Dr. Abhay Gokhale, discusses how the CyberKnife system treats the excruciating pain associated with trigeminal neuralgia.
Dr. Heuser's Journey
Discover how Dr. Heuser, a highly respected general surgeon, made the pivotal decision to choose the CyberKnife technology in his personal battle against prostate cancer.
Precision. Power. Victory.
CyberKnife targets tumors with pinpoint accuracy, delivering high-dose radiation directly to the tumor while minimizing damage to healthy tissue, resulting in fewer side effects.
Precise Prostate Treatment
Watch Dr. Douglas W. Widman, our Medical Director, on Daytime Columbus as he explains how we can treat prostate cancer in five or fewer treatments using the CyberKnife system.
Frequently Asked Questions
We’re here to help you find the answers you need
General Questions›
CyberKnife system›
- Cancerous tumors (such as those in the brain, spine, lung, liver, pancreas, prostate, and kidney)
- Benign tumors
- Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs)
- Trigeminal neuralgia
- Movement disorders (such as essential tremor)
- Recurrent tumors after previous radiation treatment
- Robotic Precision: The CyberKnife system employs a robotic arm that can move with great freedom, enabling precise radiation delivery from virtually any direction.
- Real-Time Tracking: It uses real-time imaging to continuously monitor the patient's position and adjust the radiation beam accordingly, ensuring accuracy even if the patient moves during treatment.
- Intelligent Tumor Tracking: The system's advanced software can track and adjust the radiation beam in response to the tumor's motion, such as breathing or other organ movements.
- No surgery
- No anesthesia
- No hospital stay
- No pain
- No rehabilitation
- No risk of bleeding or infection
- No head frame
- Minimal to no side effects
- Quick return to normal everyday life
- Shorter treatment program compared to conventional radiotherapy
CyberKnife Treatment›
It's important to note that certain tumors may exhibit signs of recurrence or progression. Thus, regular follow-up appointments are crucial to assess the tumor's status and make informed decisions regarding further treatment or management.
Radiation Therapy›
- Pinpoint Accuracy: CyberKnife uses real-time imaging and tracking to continuously adjust the radiation delivery, ensuring precise targeting of the tumor throughout the treatment.
- Minimized Radiation Exposure: The system's advanced targeting capabilities minimize radiation exposure to healthy tissues surrounding the tumor, reducing the risk of complications.
- Non-Invasive: Unlike traditional surgery, CyberKnife is a non-invasive treatment that does not require incisions or anesthesia. It delivers radiation externally.
- Frameless: CyberKnife utilizes advanced image-guidance technology, eliminating the need for rigid immobilization frames that are used in traditional radiosurgery.
- Fewer Treatment Sessions: CyberKnife typically requires fewer treatment sessions than traditional radiotherapy, often completing treatment in just a few sessions instead of weeks.
Here are the key differences between them:
Stereotactic Radiotherapy (SRT): SRT refers to the broader category of treatments that use precise imaging and targeting techniques to deliver radiation to tumors with high accuracy. It can be used to treat tumors in various locations throughout the body, including the brain.
Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT): SBRT is a specific type of SRT that focuses on treating tumors in the body outside of the brain. It delivers a highly concentrated dose of radiation to the tumor while minimizing exposure to nearby healthy tissues. SBRT is typically administered in a few treatment sessions, usually between 1 and 8.
Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS): SRS is a form of SRT that specifically targets tumors in the brain. Unlike traditional surgery, SRS does not involve making an incision. Instead, it uses multiple beams of radiation to precisely target the tumor while sparing surrounding healthy brain tissue. SRS is typically delivered in a single session, although in some cases, multiple SRS treatments may be needed.
In summary, SRT is the broader category that encompasses both SBRT and SRS. SBRT focuses on treating tumors in the body, while SRS specifically targets brain tumors. Both SBRT and SRS employ precise targeting to deliver a concentrated dose of radiation while minimizing damage to healthy tissues.