Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital to house 'CyberKnife' cancer tool

Australia’s first ‘CyberKnife’ will soon be killing cancer tumours in WA’s State Cancer Centre based in the Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital.

ABC News reports that treatments with the new medical technology could begin within a matter of months.

As one of only four in the world, the CyberKnife will be used to treat up to 450 patients a year.

The new tool works by precisely targeting tumours with doses of radiation and in turn helps to keep surrounding tissue areas safe and free from harm.

The WA Health Minister, Kim Hames said that the tool will allow for precision radiotherapy.

The CyberKnife may be a revolutionary treatment for cancer. However, Dr Colin Tang, a Radiation Oncologist warned that the treatment might only be suitable to certain patients’ needs.

According to Dr Tang,  the CyberKnife will be best suited to patients whose tumours are located close to critical structures in the brain.

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