Cancer-Related Fatigue Awareness Month: How CyberKnife Can Help

December is designated as Cancer-Related Fatigue Awareness Month, a time to draw attention to a common side effect of cancer and treatment.

According to the American Society of Clinical Oncology, cancer-related fatigue is a persistent feeling of physical, emotional, or mental tiredness caused by cancer and/or its treatment. Unlike normal fatigue, the feeling may not be relieved by rest or sleep.

Affecting between 70 and 100 percent of patients, cancer-related fatigue often prevents patients from performing their normal, daily activities, and if left untreated, can greatly impact a patient’s quality of life. Cancer patients receiving treatments such as chemotherapy, conventional radiation therapy or immunotherapy can experience some type of fatigue throughout the course of treatment for a variety of reasons.

Although people may believe that fatigue is something they have to endure while undergoing cancer treatment, there are options available that can reduce the impact of cancer-related fatigue. Thanks to advancements in radiosurgery, treatment with CyberKnife^® is an important option for patients seeking a low impact on quality of life during their cancer treatment.

CyberKnife is an advanced system that uses a specialized type of radiation therapy called stereotactic radiosurgery to non-surgically treat tumors and metastatic lesions in the head, neck and body. Unlike some treatment methods that treat a larger margin of normal tissue in addition to treating the cancer cells, CyberKnife’s unique ability to precisely focus, target and deliver radiation to a patient’s cancer reduces radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissue. This pinpoint precision minimizes side effects such as fatigue.

CyberKnife treatment does not require anesthesia, incisions or a prolonged recovery period. Treatment is completed within five outpatient sessions, and patients typically return to their routines immediately following treatment. Call our center at (775) 348-9900 or visit our conditions treated page here to determine if you are a candidate for CyberKnife treatment.

This is not intended as medical advice to replace the expertise and judgment of your health care team. It is intended to help you and your family make informed decisions, together with your doctor.