The radiation oncology team at Sultan Qaboos Comprehensive Cancer Care and Research Centre conducted first procedure to treat lung cancer using a tumor guided robotic radiosurgery device CyberKnife S7, which features high accuracy in delivering precise radiation beams to cancer cells in synchronization with real-time motion of tumor with breathing. 

The CyberKnife S7 with Synchrony (motion management system) is the only Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) delivery system that features a linear accelerator (Linac) directly mounted on a robotic arm. The 6D movement of the robot allows Linac to move and bend around the patient to deliver radiation doses potentially from thousands of unique beam angles, significantly increasing the possible focal spots to concentrate radiation dose to the tumor while minimizing the dose that affect the surrounding healthy tissue, especially for the tumors which move with breathing in lung and liver.  

Dr. Furqan Hashmi, a senior specialist in Radiation Oncology, said: “the procedure was preceded by a number of simulations and examinations to provide the robot with the necessary data and inputs that allow it to track the tumor and keeps the radiation on target even while the tumor moves with the patient’s breathing. The procedures include CT scan of the patient to accurately define the tumor size and extent, measure the range and the rhythm of the patient’s breathing followed by calculation of the radiation doses. 

Radiation therapists Fatima Al Balushi explained that during the treatment session we need to follow the patient breathing rhythm accurately and monitor the movement of the tumor every 60 seconds until the end of session.  Here colleague Amna Al Ajmi added, the treatment is very safe and precise. The radiation stops automatically if tumor moves out of the range specified and restarts only after repositioning.