Hi,
I’ve recently read something about cyberknife on the Internet. I think it says that it can be used for liver mets. Has anyone had any experiences with it or know anything about it?
Just curious.
xx
Hi m1yu
This link might be useful:
The first cyberknife was only installed in the UK in 2009, so I imagine there are only a few people so far who have been treated. The first one was at the clinic where I have my rads - but it is a private clinic and I think there are only a couple so far in the NHS. I hope that will change soon, but not very optimistic. My onc has mentioned it as a possibility for my bone met if conventional rads don’t work. The main advantage is it is very tightly targeted so can hit the tumour without damaging surrounding tissue.
You might find it more profitable to search US cancer websites for info on treating liver mets, as it is more common there.
finty xx
Thank finty,
I’m with BUPA, so private clinic might not be a prob if cyberknife is for me.
RFA was recommended by my onc for my liver mets. I’ve read a few things about cyberknife vs RFA, but no conclusive answer. It’s quite popular in the US I think. Just would like to know the situation in the UK.
Thanks for the link anyway. xx
That’s good news that you have BUPA. From what I understand there doesn’t seem to be much downside to the cyberknife compared to more conventional treatments, but because it is so new most oncs have no experience or knowledge of it. If I were you I would contact the Harley Street Clinic direct and see if you can get a opinion on liver mets. Good luck, finty xx
Hi m1yu
It might be worth you giving the BCC helpline a call about the cyberknife as they may have further information on this treatment and where this is available. The number is 0808 800 6000 and the lines are open today from 9 to 2pm and Monday to Friday 9 to 5pm.
Best wishes Sam, BCC Facilitator
Hi m1yu
I have asked for a referral to the Cyberknife clinic in London, Harley Street for my liver/lung/bone mets. I know that my Dr has sent a copy of my scans down to them before I went on holiday two weeks ago so I will be ringing next week to find out if there is any news. I don’t have private health care so will probably have to pay for the treatment myself, however, if it is is suiatble for me I think there is a good argument for the NHS paying for it as when you add up all the costs of chemo drugs, plus hospital time/appointments/complications and whatever this may actually work out a s a cheaper option.
I will let you know how I get on.
Sue x
We have been successfully been treating liver mets with CyberKnife here in the states for years. It depends upon how many spots are found and if you are having any symptoms. Either way, they should be able to treat you at any center relatively easily. Sometimes it does require a small outpatient procedure to place small markers into the liver which is usually done under mild anesthesia and with a needle just like biopsies. I hope and wish you the best.
Morning all
I have been told that I am not suitable for treatment with the Cyberknife as my tumours/mets are too small and widespread. So, yes, goos that they are small but not so good that they are widespread…will they eventually join up??? Anyway, I am feeling okay at present apart from the odd wheeze so at least I have asked the question.
Sue x
Hi Sue,
Thanks for asking. But I’m sorry you’re not suitable for it. I’ve just came back from appt with onc today. Everything is still up in the air. Not even sure he’d like me to do RFA either! I’ve got one more chemo to go, then everything will be decided by the CT/MRI scan afterwards.
Basically, he said that in the UK Cyberknife is widely used for brain mets and there is a greater advantage for it. They’re also starting to use it for lung mets. However, for other mets (bone/liver), there’s no conclusive answer and it’s been done very rarely.
xx
I’ve been following this with interest, but am not surprised to see it confirmed that it’s really only suitable for brain mets-where it is apparently very succesful. It’s such a shame that hopes are raised on things like this-surely most oncs would know if it was a feasible option at the moment? They might not know if each individual case meets the criteria, but referring someone on with lung/liver/bone mets seems to be almost cruel.
Hi all
Just to clarify, I asked for the referral, it woudn’t have been considered otherwise. The blurb on the Cyberknife website gives examples of people being treated for unoperable tumours all over the place, not just brain ones eg. liver, pancreas etc. and with good results. I just thought it was worth a try in case they would do it if my tumours got bigger as an alternative to chemo - faint hope after all.
I am disppointed in some respects but at least I asked the question. I was not that surprised as I had a good reaction to my chemo and the tumours were all small or hard to see, but when (if??? ha ha) they grow again depending where they are worst and the size I might ask again. AND, God forbid, if I get anything in my brain I will be camping on their door step!
Sue x
Hi sue,
That’s interesting. I did read the link and the liver and other areas were mentioned, that’s why I mentioned it to my onc. Obviously, from what he said, he wasn’t quite keen on me having it. Maybe I should show the website to him next time.
Just a question: did they say no to you “just” because yours are widespread? I’ve got 6 places in bone and 2 places in liver. Don’t think the liver would be classified as “widespread” and that’s my main area of concern (not worried about bone mets because they’re responding well to Zometa). If he still has doubts about RFA after seeing the scan result, maybe I should insist on seeing a specialist in cyberknife.
xx
Susie-I appreciate that you wanted to ask the question. I just hope that your onc was sufficiently on the ball to warn you not to raise your hopes (this was the import of my “cruel” comment). Since you respond well to chemo, then that is good, and so an alternative option wasn’t too vital for you. I’ve read great reports on how effective it s for brain tumours, so like you, am keeping it in mind…but hoping that I never need it!
As someone who is just about to start Cyberknife treatment, and has done a little research about the treatment, I would like to make a few comments.
With regard to the comments of ElaineD. I think Elaine possibly misunderstood the post of Hi m1yu. The post said that his/her Doctor had said that Cyberknife is mainly used on Brain Tumours - not that it cannot be used elsewhere. In fact it can, and is used almost anywhere in the body. So contrary to your comment, there is absolutely nothing ‘cruel’ about a Doctor referring a patient with liver or lung metastases for Cyberknife treatment.
However, just because it can be used anywhere in the body, does not mean that it is appropriate to use it in all cases. The advantage of Cyberknife stereotactic radiotherapy is that it is so precise, that it can be offered at a much higher fraction than conventional radiotherapy. This means it can be used to destroy mets (although of course it’s important to remember that even if an isolated met is destroyed others can always pop up elsewhere). Additionally because it’s so precise it means that it does not damage healthy tissue, and can be used palliatively, on risky and hard to reach areas. Unfortunately, though, this means that Cyberknife would not be appropriate in cases where the cancer has already spread too far, or where the location of mets means they could easily be palliated by conventional radiotherapy (which of course is less expensive).