Radiosurgery (generic term: stereotactic radiotherapy) is a special form of radiotherapy for the treatment of cancerous tumors and functional disorders. In radiosurgery - unlike conventional radiotherapy - high-dose X-rays are applied precisely to a clearly defined target in the body in one or a few outpatient treatment sessions. Patients can generally resume their normal activities more quickly after the therapy.
Radiosurgery was developed back in 1948 by Swedish neurosurgeon Lars Leksell to treat tumors in the head that were difficult to reach surgically. Since the 1970s, this method has been an important part of the treatment of benign and malignant tumors as well as functional disorders in the brain.
Thanks to technical advances since the late 1990s, radiosurgery is now also being used successfully for diseases outside the head, such as prostate, lung, liver and vertebral body tumors. CyberKnife technology has long been using artificial intelligence paired with advanced digital image guidance and robot control to focus the rays with maximum precision - even in moving organs such as the lungs, liver or prostate. In this way, surrounding healthy tissue can be spared as much as possible and tumors can be combated highly effectively at the same time.
Radiosurgery can be used to effectively and gently treat tumors and functional disorders in regions of the body that are difficult to access surgically, such as the brain, spinal cord or spine, but also in the lungs, liver and prostate. It is generally used for small and clearly defined tumors as primary therapy or in addition to surgery, systemic therapy (chemotherapy, immunotherapy, hormone therapy) and conventional radiotherapy.
Radiosurgery with the CyberKnife is a remarkable medical innovation that offers many advantages. It enables precise and targeted treatment of tumors such as prostate or brain tumors without the need for invasive surgery. This reduces the risk of complications and significantly shortens the recovery time for patients.
This precision spares healthy tissue and organs surrounding the tumour, which noticeably minimizes side effects. Patients can often resume their normal activities more quickly than with other treatment options, as the treatment is usually carried out on an outpatient basis and is considered to have few side effects.
The most common indications are listed below. If your condition is not listed, please contact us to find out whether CyberKnife treatment is an option for you. Thanks to our many years of experience and close cooperation with universities, we are also happy to be your contact for rare diseases.
1. Head
- Brain metastases
- Acoustic neuromas (vestibular schwannomas)
- meningiomas
- Pituitary adenomas
- Tumors near the base of the skull or the upper neck area
- Tumors in the eye area
- Arteriovenous malformations and trigeminal neuralgia
2. Spine and bones
- Meningiomas, metastases and sarcomas in the spine and/or bones.
We are proud to say that one of our employees and other partners in Germany were involved in the technological development of individual components of this globally valued technological development. Our team is a leader in the development and application of radiosurgery in Germany. This is reflected in numerous scientific awards and publications and over 800 treatments per year.
Robotarm
The flexible and highly precise computer-controlled six-axis robotic arm enables irradiation from a wide variety of angles. Together with the linear accelerator, it forms the heart of the CyberKnife.
Linear accelerator
The linear accelerator attached to the robotic arm generates high-energy photon beams and applies them in bundled form to the targets to be treated (e.g. tumors).
Tumor localization
The use of artificial intelligence to adjust the radiation to the exact target and shape in real time is unique in the world. The result is precise irradiation for gentle treatment.
Respiratory equalization
In addition to localization, the artificial intelligence is able to predict the breathing movement of the target and compensate for it. This makes it possible to continuously adjust the beams for even more precise irradiation.