CyberKnife M6 Robotic RadioSurgery

A radiation oncologist based in Dallas, TX, Dr. Rajiv “Raj” Dahiya practices at Premier Cancer Centers. Dr. Raj Dahiya offers a full range of services at his Dallas practice, including CyberKnife® M6™ Robotic RadioSurgery.

A full-body, robotic radiosurgery system, CyberKnife® enables radiation oncologists to deliver highly targeted treatments for a variety of cancers. Although the name references a sharp surgical instrument, the CyberKnife® system is a noninvasive treatment for surgically complicated or completely inoperable tumors. 

The CyberKnife® system uses image guidance software to pinpoint tumors, requiring little uncomfortable stabilization of the patient. The CyberKnife® procedure begins with a high-resolution CT scan of the patient, which helps oncologists determine the size and position of the tumor. 

The clinician can then develop a treatment plan, focusing radiation on cancerous tissue and preserving healthy tissue. The procedure itself lasts only 30 to 90 minutes, with the patient lying comfortably on the treatment table while the computer-controlled robot moves around the patient and delivers radiation.

TomoTherapy H Series Provides Targeted Radiation Therapy

A graduate of the University of Missouri - Kansas City School of Medicine, Dr. Rajiv “Raj” Dahiya works as a radiation oncologist at Premier Cancer Centers in Dallas, TX. In his practice, Dr. Raj Dahiya offers state-of-the-art radiation treatments, including the TomoTherapy® H™ Series. 

Developed by the Accuray company, the TomoTherapy® H™ Series borrows elements from CT scanning and intensity-modulated radiation therapy to achieve its highly accurate cancer treatment. Using precise imaging from CT scans, clinicians can treat tumors that sit close to healthy tissues and organs without damaging the healthy structures. 

The TomoTherapy® treatment system then divides the radiation into thousands of small beams. Patients typically spend one week undergoing the TomoTherapy® H™ Series, coming in for treatments Monday through Friday. The treatment itself takes only 15 minutes per session, and patients experience no pain during the procedure.

About the CyberKnife M6 Series

A board-certified radiation oncologist, Dr. Raj Dahiya practices at Premier Cancer Centers in Dallas, Texas. There, Dr. Raj Dahiya uses such advanced models as the CyberKnife M6 System, the center being an industry leader in the use of this system alongside other state-of-the-art tools.

Developed by Accuray, the CyberKnife system uses the precision of robotic-assisted imaging to deliver customized treatments. The system can target a tumor of less than a millimeter in diameter and can send radiation from a number of directions, including both isocentric and non-isocentric angles.

The CyberKnife M6 system brings this precision and comprehensive capability to radiation therapy. It incorporates multileaf collimator (MLC) beam shaping to target abnormal growth while avoiding healthy tissue.

The system features indication-specific tracking that allows for correction response during the treatment. Combined with the flexible motion of the robotic system, this feature allows the physician to target the CyberKnife precisely, even if the tumor shifts when the individual breathes. It also enables the care team to treat tumors at any location in the body with lower risk and less concern about harm due to patient movement.

Basketball - How to Play Defense More Effectively

Dr. Raj Dahiya graduated from the University of Missouri Kansas City School of Medicine, where he was awarded a Mid America Heart Institute Student fellowship. He is currently a radiation oncologist at Premier Cancer Centers in Dallas, Texas. While away from work, Dr. Raj Dahiya enjoys playing sports, including basketball.

While playing basketball, some defense tips can allow you to play a more effective game. If the ball happens to be below your mid-section area, make sure your hand goes above the ball, as it will prevent the opponent from putting the ball in a shooting position.

Move your feet at all times and make sure you are in proper position, meaning your feet should never come close together or cross, as your opponent could run by you. Keeping your knees bent as thought you were sitting in a chair will allow you to gain leverage and jump higher. Keep an eye on the other player, never the ball. Your balance will be more stable if you focus on the other player.

Two Great Spots to Visit in Prague

Dr. Raj Dahiya serves as a radiation oncologist at Premier Cancer Centers in Dallas, Texas, which was one of the first facilities in the world to install the CyberKnife M6 robot. In his leisure time, Dr. Raj Dahiya enjoys traveling to various countries throughout the world, including the Czech Republic, where he visited Prague.

Prague is one of the most historic and beautiful cities in all of Eastern Europe, boasting a rich cultural heritage amid stunning works of architecture that pay homage to centuries past. For first-timers visiting the city, here are two must-see destinations.

Perhaps one of the more famous tourist spots in Prague is the Old Town Square, and with good reason. In addition to the impressive and sprawling visage of the Gothic Tyn Church, the square is also home to the Astronomical Clock, which was first built more than 600 years ago. At that age, it is the third oldest clock of this type in the world, and is the only one that still works.

Equally impressive is the Charles Bridge, spanning 520 meters throughout the heart of the city. Many tales and superstitions surround the bridge, ranging from the exact moment the initial stone was laid to the tradition of rubbing the statue of Saint John of Nepomuk for luck. An impressive statue of Charles the IV, an emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, can also be found on the walkway, which also provides a picturesque view of the River Valta.

Exploring CyberKnife, an Advanced Cancer Treatment Method

Dr. Raj Dahiya uses the best technology available to treat cancer patients at Premier Cancer Centers in Dallas, Texas. This location was the first in the world to utilize both the TomoTherapy H Series and the Cyberknife M6 System. Dr. Raj Dahiya is experienced with both advanced cancer treatment methods.

Question: What is CyberKnife?
Answer: The CyberKnife M6 System performs noninvasive full-body robotic surgeries with extreme accuracy. The device is also used for radiation therapy, allowing for precise cancer treatment.

Question: Who benefits from CyberKnife surgeries?
Answer: Patients with very complicated or inoperable tumors are excellent candidates for CyberKnife treatment. It is also an excellent alternative to traditional surgery for patients who are unable or unwilling to have invasive surgery.

Question: Which cancers can be treated with CyberKnife?
Answer: CyberKnife is valuable in the treatment of lung, liver, prostate, and head and neck cancers. It is also used to treat areas with recurrent cancers.

Bridge Breast Helps Texan Women Fight Breast Cancer

Radiation Oncologist Dr. Raj Dahiya sees patients at Premier Cancer Centers in Dallas, Texas. In addition to treating patients with advanced radiation technologies, Dr. Raj Dahiya works to help patients who cannot afford treatment. He also supports local women’s cancer charity Bridge Breast.

Bridge Breast helps unfunded patients living in north Texas gain access to free or low-cost breast cancer care. The organization is dedicated to serving people caught in a treatment gap. Oftentimes, women receive a breast cancer diagnosis but are unable to pursue treatment due to financial difficulties and lack of health insurance.

In order to provide low-cost treatment, Bridge Breast partners with local physicians and radiologists. By creating a network of partnering clinics, women all around San Antonio can access the healthcare they need to survive.

Bridge Breast stands ready to help any woman who has a breast cancer diagnosis, does not have insurance, and can demonstrate specific financial hardships. More information is available at www.bridgebreast.org. Funding for our services are provided (in part) by grants from Susan G. Komen foundation.

In 2016 Premier Cancer Centers was the recipient of the prestigious Bridge Builder's Society Founders award for their contribution in helping care for patients without access to cancer care.

ASTRO 2016 Annual Meeting for Radiation Oncologists

In 2016, Dr. Raj Dahiya joined the staff of Premier Cancer Centers in Dallas, Texas, where he practices as a radiation oncologist. Active in the medical industry, Dr. Raj Dahiya belongs to multiple organizations, including the American Society for Therapeutic Radiation Oncology.

The American Society for Therapeutic Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) began in 1958 and has developed into a world leader in the field with more than 10,500 members. Altogether, the ASTRO membership treats an estimated one million patients with various forms of cancer on a yearly basis. In an effort to advance the impact of radiation oncology, ASTRO holds a conference each year to unite physicians, nurses, and scientists.

Touted as the most important meeting of its kind, the 2016 Annual Meeting will take place September 25-28, 2016, at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center in Boston, Massachusetts. An expected 1,700 paper posters will complement a full schedule of clinical trial and oral abstract sessions, and attendees will have countless networking opportunities. For registration information, visit www.astro.org.

Tips on Preventing Cancer from the American Cancer Society

A radiation oncologist with more than a decade of experience, Dr. Raj Dahiya works at Premier Cancer Centers in Dallas. Dr. Raj Dahiya maintains membership with the American College of Radiology, the American Cancer Society (ACS), and several other professional organizations.

The ACS has supported cancer research and education for more than a century. Its website explains multiple ways that individuals can reduce the risk of developing cancer.

- Discontinue or avoid smoking, which is one of the best-known ways to decrease the risk of cancer. Even habitual smokers begin to benefit from quitting as little as 20 minutes after doing so.

- Avoid prolonged sun exposure, which has long been linked to skin cancer. By remaining in the shade, applying sunscreen, and wearing a hat and other clothes to cover the face and other areas that would otherwise be exposed, people can substantially reduce their exposure to sunlight’s problematic ultraviolet rays.

- Undertake a healthy lifestyle. The ACS encourages individuals to maintain a healthy weight, avoid excessive alcohol consumption, and consume a healthy diet. Such practices can also reduce one’s risk of heart disease.

Robotic Surgery Device Adds Options for Cancer

Dr. Raj Dahiya serves as a radiation oncologist at Premier Cancer Centers in Dallas, Texas. Dr. Raj Dahiya's organization was one of the first to install the CyberKnife M6 robot and the TomoTherapy H Series in the world. These technologies can serve as an alternative to cancer surgery.

Rather than cutting into a patient, the robotic CyberKnife system treats cancerous and benign tumors with doses of stereotactic radiation, which focus in three dimensions on the target. The pain-free system can be used anywhere in the body, especially the pancreas, liver, brain, and kidney. Although it employs high radiation doses, CyberKnife affects only the tumor, avoiding healthy tissue. It has been used for persons with multiple tumors or inoperable tumors, as well as for patients who simply wish to avoid invasive surgery.

Another unique feature of the CyberKnife is its ability to track and adjust dosages. This enables patients to lie down comfortably without worrying about their motions. Brain surgery with CyberKnife does not require the head restraints that other imaging systems do.

Preparation for the procedure involves a CT scan to locate the general area of tumors. Images from the scan are fed into CyberKnife's software. This permits the radiologist to plan treatment.

Each procedure lasts between 30 and 90 minutes.