Reno CyberKnife Reaches 1,000-Patient Milestone

RENO, Nev., Feb. 4, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Reno CyberKnife recently reached an important milestone, treating its 1,000th patient since opening in 2008 in partnership with Saint Mary's Regional Medical Center. In nearly six years of operations, northern Nevada's only CyberKnife^® center has attracted patients from as far as Alaska seeking nonsurgical cancer treatment.

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"Reaching this milestone in cancer care is a proud moment for our center," said Dr. Jonathan Tay, Reno CyberKnife co-medical director. "We've had the opportunity to help patients not only from our area but also from other states and this is a testament to the experience and expertise our team offers to those who desire or require an alternative to surgery or conventional radiation therapy."

Reno CyberKnife treats malignant and benign tumors in the brain, spine, lung, liver, pancreas, kidney, prostate and eye with an advanced procedure called stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT). The CyberKnife treats tumors with precisely targeted, high-dose radiation delivered in five or fewer treatments. No surgery is involved, so there are no incisions or sedation. Patients typically return to normal routines immediately following treatment.

Reno CyberKnife patient Victor Ritchie traveled from Hawaii to Reno for kidney cancer treatment. Ritchie refused surgery for his cancer and became interested in CyberKnife as a treatment option.

"I never got sick, and I never experienced one bit of pain. I kept working on my daughter's backyard deck after each treatment," Ritchie said. "There are so many things they can do with the CyberKnife. It's amazing. I'm really hopeful it's used more in the future. I've been very happy with the results."

Clinical data has shown SBRT to be an effective treatment for inoperable and high-risk patients with primary or metastatic tumors, tumors located close to critical organs or those located in areas of the body that were previously irradiated.

More than one-fourth of Reno CyberKnife's patients are treated for lung cancer. That figure is expected to increase after a recent statement from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, recommending current and former smokers ages 55 and older get annual, low-dose CT scans for the early detection of lung cancer.

Reno CyberKnife is a service of Saint Mary's Regional Medical Center and is located at 645 North Arlington Ave. in Reno, Nev. For more information, call (775) 348-9900, or visit www.renocyberknife.com.  

CONTACT: Chris Trahan, Zehnder Communications, (225) 243-5302, [email protected]

SOURCE Reno CyberKnife