The Cyberknife Institute At Mercy Hospital Brings New Hope To Patients With Inoperable Tumors With Miami's First Hospital-Based Cyberknife System

Online, March 29, 2010 (Newswire.com) - The CyberKnife® Institute at Mercy Hospital, Miami's first hospital-based CyberKnife® Robotic Radiosurgery System, is bringing new hope to patients with inoperable or surgically complex tumors. The CyberKnife® Robotic Radiosurgery System, the latest version in the CyberKnife® product line, is a non-invasive alternative to surgery for treatment of both cancerous and non-cancerous tumors anywhere in the body, including the prostate, lung, brain, spine, liver, pancreas and kidney.

"The CyberKnife® Institute at Mercy Hospital will put us in the forefront of non-invasive radiation oncology," said John C. Johnson, President & CEO at Mercy Hospital. "With this new state-of-the-art technology, Mercy Hospital will be able to provide quality care to patients who at some point had lost all hope."

The CyberKnife® Institute at Mercy Hospital will offer the latest technology available in fighting cancer through radiation oncology, and will provide patients with world class doctors, technology and research. As the first hospital-based CyberKnife® facility in Miami, patients will enjoy the convenience of having all their radiology testing done under the same roof. "The CyberKnife® System is very unique and sets itself apart from any other similar treatment. It delivers beams of high dose radiation to tumors with pin-point accuracy," said Aldo F. Berti, Neurosurgeon and Medical Director of the CyberKnife® Institute at Mercy Hospital. "The system uses image guidance software that tracks and continually adjusts to the patient's breathing rhythm or movement of the tumor during treatment."

The CyberKnife® System treatment involves no cutting and provides a pain-free, non-surgical option for patients. Prior to procedure, the patient is imaged using a high-resolution CT scan to determine the size, shape and location of the tumor. Once a course of treatment is planned, the patients will receive a treatment session of 30 to 90 minutes, depending on the type of tumor. "Traditionally a patient requires about 40 treatments to eradicate a tumor, but with the CyberKnife®, a tumor could be treated in one to five sessions," said Dr. Raul Ravelo, Chief Radiation Oncologist of the CyberKnife® Institute at Mercy Hospital. "We are very excited to be able to offer patients more effective treatments while sparing healthy tissue surrounding the tumor."

The CyberKnife® Institute at Mercy Hospital will be under the directorship of Dr. Berti, Neurosurgeon and Medical Director, and Dr. Ravelo, Chief Radiation Oncologist, and is supported by highly trained staff of healthcare specialists.

About Mercy Hospital

Mercy Hospital, a recipient of the prestigious Magnet™ award for nursing excellence, HealthGrades Distinguished Hospital for Clinical Excellence Award™ (2003-2004, 2006-2009) and HealthGrades Patient Safety Excellence Award™ (2007-2009), is Miami-Dade County's only Catholic Hospital. Established in 1950, it is sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph of St. Augustine, Florida and a member of Catholic Health East. A 473-bed acute care hospital, staffed by over 700 physicians representing 27 medical specialties, its Centers of Excellence include: The Heart Center at Mercy Hospital, the Miami Cancer Center at Mercy Hospital, the Orthopedic Institute at Mercy Hospital, and the Minimally Invasive Surgical Institute at Mercy Hospital. Mercy Hospital is located at 3663 S. Miami Avenue, Miami, FL. www.mercymiami.org.