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A REVOLUTIONARY NEW centre for cancer treatment at Hong Kong Adventist Hospital is attracting both local and regional patients.

The CyberKnife Centre, which opened last month, offers new hope to patients with cancers  previously considered inoperable or untreatable, such as tumours in the brain, spine, lung and prostate.

The new treatment does not require a surgeon's scalpel or anaesthesia, and it is painless. Patients can return home or go back to work within two hours. CyberKnife treatments are not invasive, with no incisions or blood loss. Most patients are treated in one to five sessions.

Using X-ray image cameras and computer technology, the treatment locates the tumour in the body and a computer program determines the exact radiation strength required. A robotic arm delivers concentrated beams of radiation from multiple angles to the tumour, without damaging healthy surrounding tissue.

More than 20,000 patients worldwide have benefited from the treatment.

'This is something new for Asia,' said Maria Lee, the hospital's vice-president for administration. She saw  growing  demand across the region for the potentially life-saving treatment.

Hospital chief executive Frank Yeung said the centre was the first of its kind in the region and gave patients around the region access to the most advanced cancer treatments available today.

This state-of-the-art cancer treatment and the city's reputation for excellent medical care puts Hong Kong in a strong position  to become a medical hub in Asia, Mr Yeung said.

'Cancer is the top killer in the world, and we see a need to offer an alternative treatment. That is why we invested HK$70 million in CyberKnife. This is the first time the system is being used in Asia. We believe it will attract patients from the mainland and other Asian countries.'

Clinical director  Andrew Wong said the advanced system was able to automatically compensate for patient movement during the treatment.

Assistant clinical director Victor Tsang said the operation took 30 to 90 minutes.

'After the treatment, the patient gets up and goes home,' he said.



Painless CyberKnife brings new hope to Asia