Six years of CyberKnife!
Six years ago today the first patient was treated on the cancer-busting CyberKnife machine! In 2013, QEHB Charity funded the CyberKnife machine which was purchased thanks to your incredibly generous donations.
The machine is a robotic system which uses high doses of radiation to sub-millimetre accuracy, it has the ability to track the tumours position throughout the treatment and can stop at any time if the machine loses track of the tumour due to movement.
Dr Geoff Heyes, Principal Clinical Scientist at QEHB, said: “Six years ago today we treated our first patient on the CyberKnife machine! As of today, 1,544 patients have been treated, we now have a successful and efficient service rivalling any other in the UK.
“Your continued support for our service is very much appreciated and valued.”
CyberKnife can treat small, well-defined tumours located in traditionally difficult-to-reach parts of the body which if damaged, can have devastating effects. It is commonly used to treat select brain tumours and is now increasingly being used to treat other tumours in the body.
Mike Hammond, Chief Executive of QEHB Charity, said: “We are so pleased to see that CyberKnife has been treating patients successfully for six years now. The Charity is so grateful to everyone who donates to the hospital charity to help us fund vital, life-saving equipment like CyberKnife.”
To find out more about CyberKnife and to donate to QEHB Charity’s Cancer appeal, please visit hospitalcharity.org/qehbcancer.
