illinois cyberknife: metastatic cancer

METASTATIC CANCER & CYBERKNIFE®

A TREATMENT OPTION WHEN CANCER SPREADS

1700 Luther Lane, Suite 1110, Park Ridge IL 60068 847-723-0100 IllinoisCK.com

Please note: We encourage consumers to thoroughly review and understand all treatment options. The information presented here is not all-inclusive. Rather, it represents a starting point to learn more about medical conditions and treatment options. This is not intended as a substitute for medical advice from your professional healthcare provider. Contact your professional healthcare provider to find out if CyberKnife® treatment is right for you. Sources: American Cancer Society, National Cancer Institute


http://www.cancer.org

http://www.cancer.gov

METASTATIC CANCER Metastatic cancer occurs when a primary cancer spreads to other parts of the body. This form of cancer has the same name and the same type of cancer cells as the primary cancer. For example, breast cancer that spreads to the lung and forms a metastatic tumor is considered metastatic breast cancer rather than lung cancer.

The most common sites of cancer metastasis are the bone, brain, liver, and lung.

Because metastatic cancer causes symptoms that are also common to other diseases, it is not unusual for metastatic cancer to be discovered by tests conducted for another condition.


HOW CANCER CELLS METASTASIZE

When cancer cells break away from a tumor, they can travel to other areas of the body through the bloodstream or the lymphatic system (which contains a collection of vessels that carry fluid and immune system cells).

Cancer cells have to go through several steps to spread to new parts of the body:

•  Have to be able to break away from the original tumor and enter the bloodstream or lymph system, which can carry them to another part of the body.

•  Need to attach to the wall of a blood or lymph vessel and move through it into a new organ.

•  Need to be able to grow and thrive in their new location.

•  Need to be able to avoid attacks from the body’s immune system.


TREATING METASTATIC CANCER Metastatic cancer may be treated with systemic therapy (chemotherapy, biological therapy, targeted therapy, hormonal therapy), local therapy (surgery, radiation therapy, stereotactic radiosurgery), or a combination of these treatments.

The choice of treatment generally depends on several factors, including:

•  Type of primary cancer

•  Size, location, and number of metastatic tumors

•  Patient’s age and general health

•  Types of treatment the patient has had in the past or is currently undergoing


Stereotactic radiosurgery is a non-surgical option for treating metastatic cancer tumors and lesions. CyberKnife® delivers highly focused radiation with sub-millimeter accuracy to the metastatic tumor, minimizing exposure to healthy tissue.

Treatment is complete within five sessions depending on the individual diagnosis. The outpatient procedure does not require incisions or sedation. There is minimal to no recovery time with radiosurgery. CyberKnife capabilities include precise treatment of multiple metastatic lesions.

For patients receiving a different treatment method for their primary cancer, stereotactic radiosurgery can be used in combination to reduce side effects and overall treatment time.

METASTATIC CANCER & CYBERKNIFE


HOW CYBERKNIFE WORKS


ILLINOIS CYBERKNIFE & METASTATIC LIVER CANCER Illinois CyberKnife’s clinical team developed a liver metastasis treatment protocol based on recent studies that show aggressive, local treatment can extend survival for certain patients.

The treatment protocol is designed to treat eligible liver metastasis patients with a combination of CyberKnife stereotactic body radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

The study is open to colorectal cancer patients of all ages who have four or fewer liver metastases and have not developed metastases in other parts of the body. There is no size limit for the metastases, though to qualify, candidates must have normal liver function.


METASTATIC CANCER PATIENT TESTIMONIAL

!1700 Luther Lane, Suite 1110, Park Ridge IL 60068 847-723-0100 IllinoisCK.com

OUR CENTER Illinois CyberKnife is a department of Advocate Lutheran General Hospital’s renowned Cancer Care Center for Advanced Care on the hospital’s campus. Our doctors are board-certified in radiation oncology and have several areas of specialty including head and neck cancers, prostate cancer and lung cancer.

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illinois cyberknife: metastatic cancer

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