CONTACT US
TREATMENT CENTERS
BRAIN TUMORS

Side Effects

Potential side effects of CyberKnife® treatment for brain cancer

Treatment with the CyberKnife System is well-tolerated with a low risk of toxicity. Side effects associated with CyberKnife treatment are usually mild and temporary. As with any radiation treatment, side effects can also be severe in some patients and lead to permanent injury or even death. Discuss your specific case with your physician/s to fully understand the potential risks associated with your treatment. Possible side effects could include but not limited to:

  • Headache
  • Increased intracranial pressure expressed by:
    • Nausea
    • Vomiting
    • Headache
  • Orthostatic hypotension
  • Seizures
  • Edema (causing headache)
  • Necrosis

Managing side effects with your medical team

Prior to beginning CyberKnife treatment, your medical team will discuss all possible side effects and may prescribe medication to control any side effects, should they occur.

Protecting healthy tissue — protecting quality of life.

Treatment with the CyberKnife System is well-tolerated with a low risk of toxicity. Despite the high dose rate associated with SRS, the CyberKnife System has been proven to deliver radiation with sub-millimeter precision, which means minimal radiation is delivered to the healthy brain tissues that surround the lesion or tumor1. This can significantly reduce the risk of the most common side effects of traditional radiation therapy, including fatigue and cognitive impairments to memory and concentration — and can protect the sensitive tissues involved in important functions such as motor control, touching, hearing and vision. Most patients can quickly return to their daily routines with little interruption to their normal activities.

Find a CyberKnife Treatment Center

View All Patient Stories

Learn More About CyberKnife Treatment

Reference:

1 Antypas et al. “Performance Evaluation of a CyberKnife® G4 image-guided robotic stereotactic radiosurgery system.” Physics in Medicine and Biology.53;(2008)4697-4718.

© 2024 Accuray Incorporated. All rights reserved.

Share Your Story

Educating others about your experience with the CyberKnife® System can help others who face similar decisions about their own cancer treatment choices.

If you are interested in sharing your story, please fill out the form below and an Accuray representative will contact you.

Please note: Accuray is the manufacturer of the CyberKnife®, TomoTherapy®, and Radixact® Systems. As the manufacturer, we are unable to provide specific medical advice, view medical records, or schedule appointments.
Privacy Disclaimer: To protect your safety, please do not provide your personal or sensitive information, such as your medical history, on our websites. By entering any information on our websites, you understand and agree that such information will be transferred to Accuray Incorporated in the United States. Please read our Privacy Policy.
Important Safety Statement: Most side effects of radiotherapy, including radiotherapy delivered with Accuray systems, are mild and temporary, often involving fatigue, nausea, and skin irritation. Side effects can be severe, however, leading to pain, alterations in normal body functions (for example, urinary or salivary function), deterioration of quality of life, permanent injury and even death. Side effects can occur during or shortly after radiation treatment or in the months and years following radiation. The nature and severity of side effects depend on many factors, including the size and location of the treated tumor, the treatment technique (for example, the radiation dose), the patient’s general medical condition, to name a few. For more details about the side effects of your radiation therapy, and if treatment with an Accuray product is right for you, ask your doctor.