CyberKnife Radiosurgery in Turkey

CyberKnife radiosurgery is one of the most sophisticated non-invasive cancer treatments available. A robotic arm capable of moving with six degrees of freedom delivers hundreds of precisely aimed radiation beams from virtually any angle, converging on a tumour with sub-millimetre accuracy while continuously tracking the target in real time. Turkey's internationally accredited oncology hospitals have invested in CyberKnife systems that match the technology available at leading cancer institutes in Europe and North America — at a fraction of the cost.

What is CyberKnife Radiosurgery?

Despite its name, CyberKnife involves no knife, no incision, and no general anaesthesia. It is a frameless stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) system that combines a linear accelerator (LINAC) mounted on an industrial robotic arm with a real-time image guidance system. The robot continuously monitors tumour position — compensating for patient breathing and movement throughout treatment — and adjusts the beam direction accordingly. This allows very high doses of radiation to be concentrated within the tumour while minimising exposure to surrounding structures. Treatment is typically completed in one to five sessions.

How is it Performed?

The process begins with high-resolution planning CT and MRI scans. For some tumour sites (such as liver or lung), small gold fiducial markers may be implanted near the tumour one to two weeks before treatment to serve as reference points for the guidance system. A medical physicist and radiation oncologist then design the treatment plan, specifying beam angles, dose distribution, and the number of fractions. On the day of treatment, the patient lies comfortably on the treatment table — no head frame or body immobilisation device is required for most sites. The robotic arm moves around the patient, delivering beams from multiple directions. Each session takes between 30 and 90 minutes. The patient is awake and comfortable throughout.

Who is a Candidate?

CyberKnife is well suited for patients with small to medium-sized tumours (typically under 5–6 cm) in almost any body region, including the brain, spine, lung, liver, prostate, kidney, and adrenal glands. It is especially valuable for patients who are not surgical candidates due to age, comorbidities, or tumour location, as well as for patients with limited metastatic disease (oligometastases) who may benefit from ablative local therapy. It is also used for arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) and acoustic neuromas. Patients are assessed on the basis of tumour histology, size, location, number of lesions, and prior treatment history.

Recovery & Aftercare

Because CyberKnife is non-invasive, there is typically no recovery period in the traditional sense. Most patients drive themselves to and from treatment sessions and resume normal activities the same day. Fatigue and mild localised skin reaction are the most common side effects. Depending on the tumour site, some patients experience temporary swelling or nausea, which is usually manageable with short-course medications. Follow-up imaging — MRI or PET-CT — is typically scheduled at six to eight weeks post-treatment to assess response, with further scans at three, six, and twelve months. Turkare facilitates remote reporting of follow-up scans through the Istanbul team.

Why Turkey & Turkare?

CyberKnife treatment in Turkey is priced between $8,000 and $20,000 for a full course, depending on the tumour site and number of fractions — compared to $30,000–$80,000 in the United States. Turkish cancer centres operating CyberKnife systems are staffed by radiation oncologists who have undergone specialist training in Europe and the United States. Turkare manages every aspect of your treatment visit: pre-treatment medical record review, hospital coordination, accommodation within easy reach of the clinic, interpretation services, and post-treatment follow-up planning. Our team remains your dedicated point of contact from your first enquiry to your final scan.