Metastatic cancer occurs when a primary cancer spreads to other parts of the body. Learn more about metastatic cancer and how Illinois CyberKnife's noninvasive treatment may work for you.

1. METASTATIC CANCER &
CYBERKNIFE®
A TREATMENT OPTION WHEN CANCER SPREADS
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2. Please note: We encourage consumers to thoroughly review and understand all treatment
options. The information presented here is not all-inclusive. Rather, it represents a starting
point to learn more about medical conditions and treatment options. This is not intended as
a substitute for medical advice from your professional healthcare provider. Contact your
professional healthcare provider to find out if CyberKnife® treatment is right for you.
Sources: American Cancer Society, National Cancer Institute
1700 Luther Lane, Suite 1110, Park Ridge IL 60068 847-723-0100 IllinoisCK.com

3. METASTATIC CANCER
Metastatic cancer occurs when a
primary cancer spreads to other
parts of the body. This form of
cancer has the same name and
the same type of cancer cells as
the primary cancer. For example,
breast cancer that spreads to the
lung and forms a metastatic tumor
is considered metastatic breast
cancer rather than lung cancer.
The most common sites of cancer
metastasis are the bone, brain,
liver, and lung.
Because metastatic cancer causes
symptoms that are also common to
other diseases, it is not unusual for
metastatic cancer to be discovered
by tests conducted for another
condition.
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4. HOW CANCER CELLS METASTASIZE
When cancer cells break away from a tumor, they can travel to other areas of
the body through the bloodstream or the lymphatic system (which contains a
collection of vessels that carry fluid and immune system cells).
Cancer cells have to go through several steps to spread to new parts of the
body:
• Have to be able to break away from the original tumor and enter the
bloodstream or lymph system, which can carry them to another part of
the body.
• Need to attach to the wall of a blood or lymph vessel and move through
it into a new organ.
• Need to be able to grow and thrive in their new location.
• Need to be able to avoid attacks from the body’s immune system.
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5. TREATING METASTATIC CANCER
Metastatic cancer may be treated with
systemic therapy (chemotherapy, biological
therapy, targeted therapy, hormonal
therapy), local therapy (surgery, radiation
therapy, stereotactic radiosurgery), or a
combination of these treatments.
The choice of treatment generally depends
on several factors, including:
• Type of primary cancer
• Size, location, and number of metastatic
tumors
• Patient’s age and general health
• Types of treatment the patient has had in
the past or is currently undergoing
1700 Luther Lane, Suite 1110, Park Ridge IL 60068 847-723-0100 IllinoisCK.com

6. METASTATIC CANCER & CYBERKNIFE
Stereotactic radiosurgery is a non-surgical option for
treating metastatic cancer tumors and lesions.
CyberKnife® delivers highly focused radiation with sub-millimeter
accuracy to the metastatic tumor, minimizing
exposure to healthy tissue.
Treatment is complete within five sessions depending on
the individual diagnosis. The outpatient procedure does
not require incisions or sedation. There is minimal to no
recovery time with radiosurgery. CyberKnife capabilities
include precise treatment of multiple metastatic lesions.
For patients receiving a different treatment method for their
primary cancer, stereotactic radiosurgery can be used in
combination to reduce side effects and overall treatment
time.
1700 Luther Lane, Suite 1110, Park Ridge IL 60068 847-723-0100 IllinoisCK.com

7. HOW CYBERKNIFE WORKS
1700 Luther Lane, Suite 1110, Park Ridge IL 60068 847-723-0100 IllinoisCK.com

8. ILLINOIS CYBERKNIFE &
METASTATIC LIVER CANCER
Illinois CyberKnife’s clinical team developed a liver metastasis
treatment protocol based on recent studies that show aggressive,
local treatment can extend survival for certain patients.
The treatment protocol is designed to treat eligible liver
metastasis patients with a combination of CyberKnife stereotactic
body radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
The study is open to colorectal cancer patients of all ages who
have four or fewer liver metastases and have not developed
metastases in other parts of the body. There is no size limit for the
metastases, though to qualify, candidates must have normal liver
function.
1700 Luther Lane, Suite 1110, Park Ridge IL 60068 847-723-0100 IllinoisCK.com

9. METASTATIC CANCER
PATIENT TESTIMONIAL
!
1700 Luther Lane, Suite 1110, Park Ridge IL 60068 847-723-0100 IllinoisCK.com

10. OUR CENTER
Illinois CyberKnife is a department of
Advocate Lutheran General Hospital’s
renowned Cancer Care Center for
Advanced Care on the hospital’s campus.
Our doctors are board-certified in radiation
oncology and have several areas of
specialty including head and neck
cancers, prostate cancer and lung cancer.
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