Stanford CyberKnife Program

Globally-recognized for the invention of the CyberKnife, the Stanford Radiosurgery Program brings together expert neurosurgeons, radiation oncologists, and physicists, to continue development of innovative stereotactic radiosurgical technology and techniques. Our team focuses the development, implementation, and clinical testing of these minimally invasive surgical tools for a variety of tumors. While the CyberKnife is commonly used for treatment of tumors in the brain, base of the skull, and the spine, Stanford physicians are also using this technology to treat cancers of the pancreas, prostate, and lungs. In addition, in conjunction with advanced 3D imaging, we are seeking to advance the use of the CyberKnife to treat a host of disorders - from neurological disorders, such as arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), acoustic neuromas, trigeminal neuralgia, depression, or obsessive-compulsive disorder – to back pain, and high blood pressure. Our early results have been encouraging and our advances in this field could provide patients, especially high-risk surgery candidates, new therapy options. 

Conditions We Treat

The CyberKnife's special quality is that it tracks tumor movement whether from breathing or other patient motion. Its beam delivery arm reacts with minute precision to real-time images of the tumor. No radiation is sent out when the tumor moves out of the beam, protecting healthy tissue. At Stanford, CyberKnife is used to treat a variety of tumors or lesions, including:

• Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM)
• Acoustic Neuroma
• Astrocytoma/Glioma/GMA
• Chordoma
• Craniopharyngioma
• Hemangioblastoma
• Meningioma
• Nasopharynx
• Oligodendroglioma/Medulloblastoma
• Pituitary Adenoma (Cushing's Disease)
• Schwannoma
• Trigeminal Neuralgia
• Other benign and primary tumors