CyberKnife M6

Gebze

CyberKnife M6 in Gebze is available at 1 hospital in the Voumed network.

CyberKnife M6 is a robotic system for stereotactic radiosurgery and stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT). Despite the name, there is no knife and no cutting. A small linear accelerator sits on a computer-guided robotic arm and delivers many thin beams of focused radiation from hundreds of angles. The beams converge on the tumour with sub-millimetre accuracy, so a high dose reaches the target while nearby healthy tissue is spared. Imaging during treatment tracks the tumour continuously, and a motion-synchronisation feature follows targets that move with breathing, such as those in the lung or liver. Treatment is non-invasive and painless, needs no rigid head frame, and is usually given as an outpatient over one to five sessions. The decision is always made individually by the radiation oncology team.

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At a glance

Type: robotic stereotactic radiosurgery and SBRT system
Used for: precise high-dose radiation to tumours of the brain, spine, lung, liver, prostate, pancreas, kidney and other sites, plus some benign and functional conditions
Key benefit: sub-millimetre accuracy with real-time tumour tracking that spares healthy tissue
Anaesthesia: no anaesthesia needed in most cases
Where it is used: leading accredited cancer centres abroad

What it is

CyberKnife M6 is a complete platform for delivering radiation with extreme precision. It pairs a compact linear accelerator, the source of the treatment beam, with a robotic arm that can position that beam at almost any angle around the body. This freedom of movement is what sets it apart from a fixed machine. Built-in imaging continuously checks the exact position of the tumour and corrects for any small shift, so the plan made before treatment is matched to the body during treatment. Because the radiation is shaped to converge only at the target, the system can treat lesions that are small, close to sensitive structures, or difficult to reach. It is used by radiation oncology teams as a focused, non-surgical option.

How it works

Before treatment, the team takes detailed scans and builds a three-dimensional map of the tumour and the organs around it. A plan is then designed so that hundreds of individual beams, each weak on its own, cross at the tumour to deliver a strong combined dose while the surrounding tissue receives very little. During the session the patient lies comfortably on a couch while the robotic arm moves around them, sending beams from many directions. Imaging takes frequent pictures and, if the tumour shifts, the system adjusts the beam in real time. For tumours that move with breathing, the motion-synchronisation feature follows that movement so the beam stays locked on the target. No incision is made and nothing is implanted for the treatment itself.

What it treats and who it helps

CyberKnife M6 treats tumours in many parts of the body, including the brain, spine, lung, liver, prostate, pancreas and kidney, as well as some lesions elsewhere. It can be used for certain benign tumours and for some functional disorders, and it is sometimes chosen when a tumour is hard to reach with open surgery or when a patient is not a good candidate for an operation. It may be used on its own or alongside other treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy or standard radiotherapy. It often suits people who want a non-invasive option, who have a small number of well-defined targets, or who need treatment near delicate structures. Whether it is the right choice depends on the type, size and location of the tumour and the person's overall health, and the radiation oncology team decides this individually.

Benefits and what to expect

The main benefits are very high accuracy, sparing of healthy tissue, and a non-invasive, painless experience with no general anaesthesia in most cases. Treatment is usually given over one to five sessions on an outpatient basis, and each session can last from around half an hour to over an hour depending on the case. Most people return to normal activity quickly. Side effects are generally mild and depend on the area treated, for example temporary tiredness, mild skin reactions, or local symptoms that settle over days to weeks. Results are not always immediate, since tumours treated this way often shrink gradually over weeks or months, and the team arranges follow-up scans to check the response. Patients receive clear instructions for each visit and for the recovery period.

Frequently asked questions

These answers are general guidance and may vary by provider. Confirm the details with the hospital you choose.

Is CyberKnife M6 surgery, and is there any cutting?

No. Despite the word knife in the name, there is no incision and nothing is cut. The treatment uses focused beams of radiation delivered from outside the body, so the skin is not opened and no implant is placed for the treatment itself.

Does the treatment hurt?

The treatment itself is painless. You lie still on a couch while the robotic arm moves around you and you feel nothing from the radiation. You can usually breathe normally and, for many sites, no rigid frame is needed, which makes the session more comfortable.

How many sessions are needed and how long do they take?

Most courses are given over one to five sessions, often called fractions. A single session can last from roughly thirty minutes to more than an hour depending on the target and the plan. Because it is delivered on an outpatient basis, you typically go home the same day.

Which cancers and conditions can it treat?

It is used for tumours of the brain, spine, lung, liver, prostate, pancreas, kidney and other sites, and for some benign tumours and functional disorders. It is not suitable for every case, and the radiation oncology team decides whether it fits your specific diagnosis and situation.

Is it safe and how accurate is it?

It is designed for sub-millimetre accuracy, and continuous imaging plus real-time tracking keep the beam locked on the tumour even if it moves. This precision limits the dose to healthy tissue, which helps keep side effects low. As with any radiation treatment there can be side effects, so the team weighs the benefits and risks for each person before recommending it.