CyberKnife Radiosurgery Center at St. Joe's celebrates a year of new procedures, medical advances and hope for patients

ANN ARBOR, Mich. - Every day, there are medical advances being made inside the walls of the Robert H. and Judy Dow Alexander Cancer Care Center located at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital (SJMH). Patients have access to national cancer clinical trials, state-of-the-art technology and the latest in medical and radiation oncology. The most notable addition in recent years is the CyberKnife(r); the first technology of it's kind in the state of Michigan.

One year ago, a team assembled to treat St. Joe's first CyberKnife patient. After months of training and anticipation, doctors, nurses, radiation therapists and medical physicists came together to begin treatment with this revolutionary technology.

When the CyberKnife began operation, patients flooded St. Joseph Mercy Hospital phone lines, searching for another option for their cancer care. In one year, 153 patients received a total of 511 treatments with the CyberKnife.

'The CyberKnife has proven it's worth here at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital. Every day we are hearing from patients who have been told they are out of options. We treat these patients, and we treat them successfully. It is very rewarding, both medically and emotionally, to know that we are impacting lives in such a significant way,' says Dr. Walter Sahijdak, radiation oncologist, Saint Joseph Mercy Health System.

Doctors began with treating brain and spine tumors. Then they added lung tumors, then prostate cancer and liver cancer. Some patients with pelvic tumors have also been treated.

'The range of cancers we can treat is significant, and we can do it with such pinpoint accuracy. Patients who may have been a candidate for brain surgery, for example, now have a nonsurgical, outpatient option to explore. As a physician, I enjoy the opportunity to expand our services and offer hope to so many individuals,' comments Dr. Geoffrey Thomas, a neurosurgeon at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital.
'We have seen patients from all over the state and the Midwest; we've received phone calls nationally and internationally. This is a revolutionary piece of equipment that we are proud to house right here in Ann Arbor,' says Kathy Kasperek-Korelis, director of oncology services, Saint Joseph Mercy Health System.

In addition to daily treatments, St. Joseph Mercy Hospital is very involved in clinical research trials utilizing the CyberKnife.

SJMH has been asked to participate in an upcoming study coordinated by the MD Anderson Cancer Center. The randomized study for early stage operable lung cancer patients will evaluate outcomes for surgery therapy versus CyberKnife radiosurgery treatment.

"This trial is exciting because the results could fundamentally change how we treat patients with early stage lung cancer. We are the only center in Michigan asked to participate. This is just one more example of how SJMH is leading the way in cancer care," says Dr. Sahijdak.

St. Joseph Mercy Hospital has also been chosen as one of only 20 sites in the country to participate in a clinical trial studying low to intermediate risk prostate cancers. Treating early prostate cancer with this non-invasive method is done as an outpatient in five days. The trial analyzes disease-free survival, rates of cancer recurrence and treatment side effects.

'Not only do we utilize CyberKnife technology here at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, but we are committed to making studies available for our patients that contribute to advancing the knowledge necessary to utilize the latest modalities for treating cancer,' says Dr. George Henning, radiation oncologist and SJMH principal investigator for the study.

'St. Joe's is being looked to as an expert in treating cancers and we have been asked to participate in this study to help provide national data on the innovative use of radiosurgery,' adds Henning.

Feedback from CyberKnife patients has been overwhelming. Comments range from 'I wouldn't change a thing about my treatment,' 'without CyberKnife, I doubt I'd be sitting in front of you today,' and 'CyberKnife saved my life.'
According to Jennifer Bailey, CyberKnife nurse coordinator, SJMHS, 'This is the most challenging and most rewarding job I've ever had. The patients are so grateful; they give me a hug every time they see me. They are just so thankful for another option to help treat their cancer. I am overjoyed to be a part of the team that is making a difference in so many lives.'

CyberKnife radiosurgery is a proven technology, having treated more than 40,000 patients internationally. For more information about CyberKnife treatments and other cancer care options, please call 1-888-474-HOPE (4673).