AI robotic radiation system hailed as game-changer against ‘moving tumours’

Pune: A 63-year-old man with a large liver tumor has now shown remarkable improvement without the need for surgery, all thanks to a non-invasive treatment known as Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT), delivered via a cutting-edge system called CyberKnife S7.This advanced radiation system, which the city's Ruby Hall Clinic deployed to treat the 63-year-old, is a non-invasive alternative for complex cases. While traditionally used for brain tumors, doctors said CyberKnife S7 has proven effective in procedures against liver, lung, pancreatic, abdominal and prostate cancers too.Experts caution the new system should be used judiciously, as it's not suitable for all patients. But for those with tumors near critical organs, where surgery or traditional radiation would be too risky, CyberKnife S7's precision has made it a game-changer. It's also especially useful against tumors that move with breathing, offering a new level of treatment accuracy."When doctors said my condition was inoperable, I thought this was the end," said Amrutesh (name changed on request), who was diagnosed a few months ago with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, a rare and aggressive form of liver cancer.Multiple chemotherapy sessions failed to shrink the tumor, leaving Amrutesh with limited options — until CyberKnife S7 became available."This was a locally advanced tumor and surgery would have required a liver transplant, which carries its own risks, including long waiting periods and strict eligibility criteria," said radiation oncologist Dr Bhooshan Zade, director of CyberKnife Radiosurgery at Ruby Hall Clinic. "The tumor's location and movement due to breathing made it even more challenging."CyberKnife S7 targets tumors with sub-millimeter accuracy, using high-dose radiation without harming nearby healthy tissue. What also sets it apart is its real-time ‘tumor-tracking' technology. "The liver moves naturally as you breathe, making it a moving target. CyberKnife S7's advanced AI-driven ‘Synchrony system' tracks the tumor's movement in real time, allowing us to deliver radiation precisely where it's needed while sparing normal tissue," Dr Zade said.Amrutesh's treatment involved five short SBRT sessions, each lasting 15 minutes. There were no incisions, no hospital stays or prolonged recovery.Three months later, a PET scan revealed a significant reduction in the tumor's metabolic activity. "The cancer was not just contained, it was retreating," said Amrutesh.Dr Zade said SBRT with CyberKnife S7 proved to be a game-changer in this case, where surgery isn't possible and chemotherapy offers little progress.Dr Sridhar PS, who heads the Cyberknife Robotic Radiosurgery unit at Apollo Cancer Centre in Bengaluru, said he has treated over 50 patients so far with the system. "The treatment response rate is more than 90-95%," said Dr Sridhar.Meerut-based Valentis hospital's radiation oncologist Dr Amit Jain said: "We were the first to deploy Cyberknife S7 in India. We have treated around 600 patients."Dr Jain added: "The system also let us treat large tumors, which was not possible earlier. Months ago, we treated what went on to be the world's largest liver cancer, measuring 14 cm, and the patient is doing fine with no cancer."In Pune, Ruby Hall Clinic introduced CyberKnife S7 over a year ago. The hospital has since treated nearly 350 patients with the system."People are coming in for CyberKnife S7 treatment from across the country. Our goal is to make this cutting-edge treatment available and accessible for all," said Ruby Hall Clinic's managing trustee and chief cardiologist Dr Purvez Grant.