Multisession cyberknife radiosurgery for the treatment of head and neck cancer

Abstract

Improvement of image guidance and robotics has led to the development of second-generation stereotactic radisurgery (SRS) systems. The Cyber Knife, a frameless SRS system, is based on noninvasive image-guided manipulation of a lightweight high-energy linear accelerator (LINAC) using a dexterous robotic arm. Frameless treatment allows users of the CyberKnife to fractionate treatments of intracranial lesions and extracranial head and neck lesions with generally excellent results. After briefly reviewing the CyberKnife system, outcomes of using our multisession CyberKnife radiosurgery to treat 100 cases of head and neck cancer are reviewed. It has been suggested that multisession CyberKnife radiosurgery might be one of the best treatment modalities to treat head and neck cancer. In conclusion, for treatment of these lesions with the Cyberknife, it is also very important to have close discussion with an experienced head and neck surgeon and oncologist.