Cyberknife Treatment Cost in India: A Simple Guide

What is Cyberknife Treatment? Cyberknife is a radiotherapy machine with a robotic arm- mounted linear accelerator primarily used in treating small size tumors or lesions with very high precision. In similar lines of Radiosurgery, Gamma Knife, X knife, ZAP-X gyroscopic radiosurgery.

The Cyberknife works in a similar fashion to any Radiotherapy machines (Linear accelerator), using high energy X-rays with very high precision with 1-10 sessions of treatment usually treatment of small areas maximum up to 6-8 cm in size.

Cyberknife cancer treatment presents numerous benefits, treatment is noninvasive, painless and delivered in few sessions, majority of the treatment is done in 1-5 days.

Conditions like meningioma, cavernoma, Vestibular schwannoma, AVM(Arterio-venous malformation), Trigeminal neuralgia, Movement disorders, Brain metastases, Brain tumors, Recurrent Glioblastoma, Recurrent astrocytoma, Terminal pain, functional radiosurgery, spine tumors, early lung cancer , early prostate cancer. Cyberknife has various treatment tracking mechanism like skull tracking , spine tracking, synchrony, fiducial tracking.

Cyberknife does not have CT scan provision unlike Truebeam or versaHD and cannot treat large size tumors.

Like any other radiotherapy treatment procedure first a custom immobilization thermoplastic mask is made by the technologist in consultation with doctor and physics team.

CT scan and MRI and Sometimes of needed even special PET CT scans are done. Then patient scan is contoured with area of interest or the lesions identified and drawn in a special software and patient radiotherapy is planned and then finally delivered at patient’s convenience.

Patient will enter the Cyberknife room and instructions will be given and treatment time can last anywhere between 30-60 mins usually sometimes can be little longer.

Patient won’t feel pain or won’t hear any sounds during the treatment and personnel will monitor patient through video cameras while technologists operate the machine from outside the vault.

Patients sometimes require premedication for treatment. In some cases, especially uncooperative patients and pediatric age group might require anesthesia for the treatment.

Cyberknife is versatile enough to treat various cancers, including but not limited to brain, lung, liver, kidney, and pancreatic cancers.

It's also effective in treating non-cancerous tumors such as acoustic neuromas, meningiomas, cavernomas, AVMs, Hemagioblastomas, Trigeminal neuralgias, Glomus jugulare tumors (Paragangliomas), Pituitary tumors making it suitable for managing tumors in delicate or hard-to-reach areas and also patients refusing neurosurgery or not candidates for general anesthesia.

The cost of Cyberknife treatment in India is significantly lower than in Western countries, ranging from approximately INR 2,50,000 to 7,00,000.

The price can vary based on the cancer type, hospital, and geographic location, with the final cost influenced by factors such as medical history, treatment requirements, and specific surgeon fees.

Cyberknife treatment can be a significant financial burden for many cancer patients. However, there are various insurance and financial assistance options available to help make the treatment more affordable.

In India, many hospitals and medical centers offer financing options and payment plans to help patients cover the cost of Cyberknife treatment.

Some insurance companies also cover Cyberknife treatment, but the coverage and reimbursement rates may vary depending on the policy and the insurance provider.

Patients should check with their insurance provider to see if Cyberknife treatment is covered under their policy. This step is crucial to understand the extent of coverage and any out-of-pocket expenses that may be involved. Additionally, there are various non-profit organizations and charities that provide financial assistance to cancer patients, including those undergoing Cyberknife treatment.

These organizations can offer grants, subsidies, or other forms of financial aid to help alleviate the cost burden. Patients can also explore government-funded programs and subsidies that may be available to help cover the cost of treatment.

By leveraging these resources, patients can access the necessary financial support to undergo Cyberknife therapy without undue stress.

Cyberknife treatment is a highly effective and precise form of radiation therapy that offers several advantages over other treatments.

Cyberknife treatment is akin to radiosurgery, radiotherapy, SABR (Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy), SBRT (Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy). It is noninvasive, does not require hospitalization and patient can go home on the same day and results are equivalent to surgical or neurosurgical treatments.

With cutting-edge technology and reduced costs, Cyberknife radiation treatment or radiosurgery or stereotactic radiosurgery or SABR, in India presents new opportunities for cancer patients.

Indian hospitals boast advanced technology and skilled practitioners, offering treatments that are both high quality and affordable.

Cyberknife treatment has undergone significant technological advancements in recent years, making it an even more effective and precise form of radiation therapy. One of the key advancements is the development of the Cyberknife M6 Series, which offers improved accuracy and precision.

The M6 Series features a new linear accelerator that delivers higher doses of radiation to the tumor site, resulting in better treatment outcomes. Additionally, the M6 Series incorporates advanced image guidance and real-time tracking, allowing for more precise delivery of radiation.

This technology ensures that the radiation beams are accurately targeted at the tumor, even if there is patient movement during the procedure. This minimizes damage to surrounding healthy tissues and enhances the overall effectiveness of the treatment.

Another significant advancement is the development of the Cyberknife S7 Series, which offers even greater precision and accuracy. The S7 Series features a new robotic arm that allows for more precise movement and delivery of radiation.

This innovation enables the Cyberknife system to adapt to the unique contours and movements of the patient’s body, ensuring optimal targeting of the tumor. These technological advancements have made Cyberknife treatment a leading option for cancer patients seeking effective and precise radiation therapy.

In cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Bangalore, prominent hospitals provide Cyberknife surgery with modern facilities. These hospitals employ dedicated specialists and doctors proficient in performing Cyberknife radiosurgery with expertise and care.

Most of the Cyberknife indications are in early-stage tumors and non-malignant neurological conditions are tumors. So usually, outcomes are excellent.

Early-stage lung cancer, prostate cancer, meningioma, vestibular schwannoma, AVM, Trigeminal neuralgia , Parkinson’s disease, and movement disorders outcomes are good.

Treatment of brain metastasis, spinal metastasis, and recurrent GBM the outcomes vary.

Specially neurological conditions the results achieved by radiosurgery or Cyberknife is amazing without cutting open the skull and morbidity associated with neurosurgery.

We can treat even pediatric patients with excellent results based on the indications.