Cyberknife Study

Researchers from The Ottawa Hospital are exploring the use of a sophisticated new machine to vaporize tumors with ultra-high radiation doses. Key to the project is the acquisition of a CyberKnife®, which can deliver high doses of radiation with pinpoint accuracy. The California-built machine is only the third unit to be installed in Canada. Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT) using the Cyberknife® unit may provide a non-surgical and non-invasive way of managing some patients with pancreatic tumors.

Pancreatic Cancer Canada has provided the initial funding for a study that will combine gemcitabine-based chemotherapy with standard doses of radiation to the surrounding lymph nodes but the primary tumor will receives an ultra-high dose “boost” delivered on a CyberKnife® unit. This study will provide the groundwork for future studies that compare SBRT to traditional therapies for locally advanced pancreatic cancer.