Stanford CyberKnife Stereotactic Radiosurgery Program
Part of Neuroscience
Leaders in Tumor, Cancer, and Neurologic Treatment
Having a complex tumor, cancer, or neurological condition can be worrisome. We offer you the latest innovations, including CyberKnife stereotactic radiosurgery — noninvasive radiation therapy — to treat you safely and effectively.
Since inventing CyberKnife in 1994, we continue to offer the most experienced CyberKnife program in the world. Our specialists use the system to treat a variety of conditions with precision.
What We Offer You for CyberKnife Stereotactic Radiosurgery
- Specialized expertise in treating cancerous and noncancerous tumors and other conditions affecting the brain. Go to Conditions Treated
- Advanced treatment options using CyberKnife radiation therapy alone or with the latest surgical techniques for large or complicated tumors. Go to Treatments
- Active research program to expand the use of CyberKnife to treat more types of conditions. Go to Clinical Trials
- Team-based approach to diagnosis and treatment through multispecialty clinics and weekly meetings for treatment planning. Go to Your Care Team
- Comprehensive support services including condition-specific support groups to help you and your family focus on health and healing. Go to Support Services
- Ease of access at the Bay Area’s only hospital with two active CyberKnife systems, providing shorter wait times and faster treatment. Go to Accessing Care
CyberKnife is an advanced system for radiation therapy that focuses high-dose radiation beams to treat target tissues, while minimizing damage to nearby healthy tissues.
Our leadership and expertise with CyberKnife allow us to effectively treat conditions that other centers consider too challenging. We bring together the right specialists from neurosurgery, oncology, radiology, and other fields to design the best treatment plan for you.
From our team approach to our full range of support services, our program focuses on your specific needs and preferences. Our advanced practice providers — certified to provide certain treatments under a doctor’s supervision — work with nurse coordinators and other dedicated staff to organize and manage your care from the start.
Brain and Spine
Other Cancers
Other Conditions
Brain and Spine Tumors
We have internationally recognized expertise in treating complex cancerous and noncancerous tumors. Our doctors conduct extensive research and establish national guidelines for delivering the most advanced treatments as safely as possible.
We partner with the Brain and Spine Tumor Center to treat adults and Stanford Children’s Health Neurosurgery Program to treat children.
- Acoustic neuroma (vestibular schwannoma)
- Glioma (tumor that starts in the glial cells of the brain or spinal cord) including astrocytoma, ependymoma, and oligodendroglioma
- Glioblastoma (a type of cancerous brain tumor or spinal tumor)
- Meningioma
- Craniopharyngioma (a type of noncancerous brain tumor)
- Cushing's syndrome
- Pituitary adenoma (noncancerous tumor in the pituitary gland)
Rare tumors
- Gangliocytoma (a noncancerous tumor in the brain or spinal cord made up of nerve cells)
- Medulloblastoma (PNET; cancerous brain tumor that starts in the lower back part of the brain)
- Neurocytoma (typically noncancerous brain tumor)
Glomus jugulare tumor (tumor within the skull near the temples)
We work closely with the Stanford Cancer Center, which has nationally recognized expertise in diagnosing and treating all types of cancers including:
Gastrointestinal cancers
- Colorectal cancer (cancer in the colon and the rectum)
- Liver cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
Other cancers
We partner with specialty programs and clinics such as the Facial Pain Program, Vascular Malformations Clinic, and Outpatient Psychiatry Clinic. Together, we deliver care for a growing number of conditions that are treatable with CyberKnife. We also work closely with the Stanford Children’s Health neurosurgery program to treat children with arteriovenous malformation (AVM).
CyberKnife is safe and effective for conditions such as:
- Trigeminal neuralgia
- Vascular malformations including arteriovenous malformation (AVM) and dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF)
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
CyberKnife provides an additional option for treating tremors in people who have Parkinson’s disease. We work with the Comprehensive Epilepsy Program and Movement Disorders Center to care for people with neurologic conditions including:
- Epilepsy
- Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders
Brain and Spine Tumors
We have internationally recognized expertise in treating complex cancerous and noncancerous tumors. Our doctors conduct extensive research and establish national guidelines for delivering the most advanced treatments as safely as possible.
We partner with the Brain and Spine Tumor Center to treat adults and Stanford Children’s Health Neurosurgery Program to treat children.
- Acoustic neuroma (vestibular schwannoma)
- Glioma (tumor that starts in the glial cells of the brain or spinal cord) including astrocytoma, ependymoma, and oligodendroglioma
- Glioblastoma (a type of cancerous brain tumor or spinal tumor)
- Meningioma
- Craniopharyngioma (a type of noncancerous brain tumor)
- Cushing's syndrome
- Pituitary adenoma (noncancerous tumor in the pituitary gland)
Rare tumors
- Gangliocytoma (a noncancerous tumor in the brain or spinal cord made up of nerve cells)
- Medulloblastoma (PNET; cancerous brain tumor that starts in the lower back part of the brain)
- Neurocytoma (typically noncancerous brain tumor)
Glomus jugulare tumor (tumor within the skull near the temples)
close Brain and Spine
We work closely with the Stanford Cancer Center, which has nationally recognized expertise in diagnosing and treating all types of cancers including:
Gastrointestinal cancers
- Colorectal cancer (cancer in the colon and the rectum)
- Liver cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
Other cancers
close Other Cancers
We partner with specialty programs and clinics such as the Facial Pain Program, Vascular Malformations Clinic, and Outpatient Psychiatry Clinic. Together, we deliver care for a growing number of conditions that are treatable with CyberKnife. We also work closely with the Stanford Children’s Health neurosurgery program to treat children with arteriovenous malformation (AVM).
CyberKnife is safe and effective for conditions such as:
- Trigeminal neuralgia
- Vascular malformations including arteriovenous malformation (AVM) and dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF)
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
CyberKnife provides an additional option for treating tremors in people who have Parkinson’s disease. We work with the Comprehensive Epilepsy Program and Movement Disorders Center to care for people with neurologic conditions including:
- Epilepsy
- Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders
close Other Conditions
Stanford doctors pioneered CyberKnife and performed the first radiosurgery treatments for prostate and pancreatic cancer. CyberKnife has since become an important standard of care and has been used to treat more than 1 million people worldwide.
Today our doctors continue to conduct leading research and work with industry partners to develop new ways to use CyberKnife. Our goal is to expand treatment options for people with cancerous and noncancerous tumors, neurologic conditions, and other conditions.
INNOVATION HIGHLIGHTS
- Our doctors helped create new standards for treating acoustic neuroma, a type of brain tumor, that reduced the number of treatments from three to one. Having fewer treatments helps protect and preserve hearing in people undergoing treatment.
- We are leading the way in research to understand how we can use CyberKnife to treat back pain, high blood pressure, and psychological conditions such as obsessive-compulsive disorder and depression.
CyberKnife was invented at Stanford by Dr. John Adler.
What is CyberKnife?
The CyberKnife system is a noninvasive, robotic delivery system for radiation therapy that treats cancerous and noncancerous tumors and other tissue. It uses computerized, real-time imaging to deliver the maximum safe dose of radiation from different angles, directly to the tumor or target tissue. Our doctors sometimes combine CyberKnife with other treatments such as surgery for the best possible results. It is also an important treatment option for people with tumors or other conditions that are difficult to access with surgery.
CyberKnife combines the latest trends in medicine such as minimally invasive procedures, outpatient treatment, and the use of computers and robotics. It offers several advantages over traditional radiation and other radiosurgery systems:
CyberKnife delivers proven accuracy that enables higher-dose radiation to the target for fast, effective treatment while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues.
CyberKnife’s frameless design allows for single- or multi-day delivery, so we can provide the most effective treatment plan for your needs.
Most CyberKnife treatments involve outpatient visits that last less than an hour. Also, treatments do not require an invasive frame to stabilize the head and body, as with other types of radiosurgery.
In addition to CyberKnife’s built-in safety features, our experienced medical physicists closely monitor, test, and inspect the equipment to ensure your health and safety during treatment.
Clinical Trials
As a Stanford Health Care patient, you may be eligible to participate in open clinical trials. Open trials refer to studies that are currently recruiting participants or that may recruit participants in the near future. Closed trials are not currently enrolling, but similar studies may open in the future.
Your CyberKnife Program Care Team
We bring together a highly experienced team of doctors from several areas of medicine to treat a variety of conditions with CyberKnife. We collaborate through weekly tumor board meetings, where diverse Stanford experts come together to review cases and provide recommendations.
Your Doctors
Interventional Neuroradiologists
Interventional neuroradiologists are doctors who specialize in diagnosing and treating diseases of the brain, spinal cord, head, neck, and spine. They use advanced imaging to guide catheters, or very small flexible plastic tubes, and other instruments through blood vessels in the affected areas.
View All {0} Neuroradiologists »Neurosurgeons
If you have been diagnosed with a brain or spinal cord tumor, you may see a neurosurgeon, a doctor who specializes in minimally invasive and open surgery to treat diseases of the brain and spinal cord. The neurosurgeon may refer you to a neuro-oncologist, a doctor with specialized training in diagnosing and treating brain and spinal cord cancer, if your tumor is malignant (cancerous).
View All {0} Neurosurgeons »Otolaryngologists
Otolaryngologists are doctors who specialize in diagnosing and treating diseases of the ears, larynx (voice box), mouth, nose, sinuses, and throat. They also treat diseases of certain structures in the face and neck.
View All {0} Otolaryngologists »Radiation Oncologists
A radiation oncologist is a doctor who specializes in using high-energy X-rays and other types of radiation to treat cancer.
View All {0} Radiation Oncologists »Stanford is an Academic Medical Center, which is a type of hospital setting where doctors teach the entire spectrum of medical education. Students range from beginning medical students to fully licensed and practicing doctors completing advanced sub-specialty training. Stanford Medicine is a partnership between Stanford University School of Medicine and Stanford Health Care. Since Stanford is a teaching hospital, you can expect to meet many providers and providers in training.
- Attending Physician: a doctor who supervises doctors in training or in medical school
- Fellow: a doctor doing postgraduate level work and specializing in care of patients with specific conditions
- Resident: a doctor who has graduated from medical school and is in training (also called “residency”) here at Stanford. A resident is also called an intern
- Medical Student: a student who is currently enrolled in medical school with the goal of becoming a doctor
Extended Care Team
Our oncology-certified health care provider works with your oncologist to help with diagnosis and treatment. APPs may recommend medications, lifestyle changes, and services such as genetic counseling. An APP can be a nurse practitioner (NP), physician assistant (PA), or clinical nurse specialist (CNS).
Our radiation therapists deliver radiation according to the plan developed by your radiation oncologist and other team members.
Our medical physicists monitor and calibrate our treatment equipment and oversee the quality of the treatments that are delivered.
- Multidisciplinary care coordinators are registered nurses who provide one-on-one support throughout your care journey. They help you navigate from your first contact with us to follow-up care, assessing your needs, answering your questions, making referrals, coordinating appointments, and providing education.
- Neuro-oncology nurses are registered nurses with specialized training in care for people with brain and spinal cord tumors.
Care coordinators provide you with information and assistance before and during your appointments.
- Medical Assistants take you to your exam room after you check in for your appointments. They check your vital signs before your doctor sees you.
- New Patient Coordinators contact you before your first appointment and help you prepare by providing the information you need to know and bring with you.
- Patient Access Representatives greet you at the front desk and register you for your appointments.
- ITA Schedulers schedule your appointments if you have apheresis (a specific type of blood transfusion) or chemotherapy.
- Surgery Schedulers call you to arrange the details for meeting with a surgical oncologist or reconstruction surgeon or for having surgery.
CyberKnife coordinators serve as your single point of contact during treatment. CyberKnife patient coordinators work with you and your doctor to coordinate insurance authorization, determine clinical trials eligibility, and gather information before consultation. They also schedule your follow-up imaging and visit with your surgeon and expedite appointments.
If you qualify for a clinical trial, our research coordinators guide you through the process. They educate you about what to expect during the study, answer your questions, and schedule your appointments.
Support Services
At Stanford, we take care of the details so that you can focus on your health. We offer a range of services and wellness programs to make your experience as comfortable as possible. For people traveling long distances, we’re here to assist with travel, housing, and insurance logistics. Our supportive care includes:
- Case Management
- Financial Counseling
- Guest Services
- Integrative Medicine (acupuncture, massage)
- Interpreter Services
- Nutrition Services
- Spiritual Care
- Stanford Health Library
Cancer Care Services, available through the Stanford Cancer Center, offer personalized wellness care for people undergoing cancer treatment. With just one call to Cancer Care Services, you and your loved ones can speak with a specially trained nurse. Our nurses help assess your needs and connect you to the cancer support services that are right for you. Contact Cancer Care Services for your personal support plan »
To help you with the challenges of your diagnosis, we offer the following support groups for patients and family members:
Frequently Asked Questions
We participate in a wide range of insurance plans. View the list of insurance plans accepted by Stanford Health Care »
Have insurance or pre-authorization questions? The Patient Financial Clearance team is available Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., to answer your questions. Please call 650-724-4445 or 1-877-291-7335 (toll free).
When choosing a doctor, it’s important to consider the doctor’s clinical training, experience and expertise in a specialized area that matches your health care needs.
You can find the right Stanford doctor for you by using our doctor directory and filtering the results based on a medical category, specialty, or doctor’s last name. View our list of our CyberKnife doctors »
At Stanford, we take care of the details so that you can focus on your health and wellness. Our doctors work as a team with device nurses, advanced practice providers, registered dietitians, and imaging technologists to coordinate every aspect of your care. We also offer a wide range of support services to promote healing and improve your quality of life. Learn more about our support services »
You can call the clinic directly to schedule an appointment with one of our doctors. Call 650-725-0084 to make an appointment.
Yes, Stanford Health Care offers financial assistance for patients who are uninsured or underinsured. Meet with one of our financial counselors to find the best approach to paying for your health care. Financial counselors are available Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Learn more about financial assistance services »
Managing CyberKnife treatment is a highly personalized process. Our care team guides you every step of the way, including:
- What to expect and what to bring on the day of your appointment
- Maps, directions, parking, public transit options, and contact information
- Suggested questions to ask your doctor
For your first appointment, you should plan to bring any related test results and your medical history to share with your doctor. Our clinic receptionists will confirm the information you should bring with you prior to your first appointment.
You will also need to have the following information with you when you check in:
- Insurance card
- A form of payment for any co-pays or deductibles
- One form of photo ID:
- Valid state-issued driver’s license
- Valid state-issued ID card
- Valid passport
- Valid U.S. Military ID card
- Valid U.S. Permanent Resident Card
The CyberKnife Stereotactic Radiosurgery Program is located at the following address. Valet and self-parking options are available for a fee.
Directions and Parking information for the CyberKnife Stereotactic Radiosurgery Program at the Advanced Medicine Center Building:
CyberKnife Stereotactic Radiosurgery Program at the Advanced Medicine Center Building
875 Blake Wilbur Drive
Clinic D
Palo Alto, CA 94304
Phone: 650-725-0084
Directions and Parking information for the CyberKnife Stereotactic Radiosurgery Program at the Blake Wilbur Building:
CyberKnife Stereotactic Radiosurgery Program at the Blake Wilbur Building
900 Blake Wilbur Drive
Ground Floor
Palo Alto, CA 94304
Phone: 650-725-0084
Directions and Parking information for the CyberKnife Stereotactic Radiosurgery Program at the Stanford Neuroscience Health Center:
CyberKnife Stereotactic Radiosurgery Program at the Stanford Neuroscience Health Center
213 Quarry Road
Palo Alto, CA 94304
Phone: 650-725-0084
Please plan to arrive 20-30 minutes prior to your appointment time. This will allow you plenty of time to park, locate your clinic and complete any additional paperwork.
Please print, fill out, and return the Medical Record Release Form to your new patient coordinator. The medical release form is an authorization form for external facilities to release medical records to Stanford Health Care.
Always feel free to bring someone with you to your appointments. A family member or friend can help ask questions, remember the information your care team gives you, and provide support.
Write down your questions before your appointment and rank them in order of importance, beginning with the most important ones. If there isn’t enough time to have all your questions answered during your appointment, ask your doctor who you can speak with to get your other questions answered.
You have multiple options when it comes to paying your bill.
- Online:
- You can pay your bill in MyHealth or the MyHealth mobile app, our secure health information tool for patients
- You can also pay as a guest without creating a login.
- By mail:
- Stanford Health Care Hospital Payment Processing P.O. Box 740715, Los Angeles, CA 90074-0715
- By calling a Customer Service Representative at 1-800-549-3720, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
For more information about billing, visit our Billing page.
Patient billing services at Stanford Health Care are provided by the billing office. To inquire about a bill that you received, please contact customer service:
Stanford Hospital Billing
Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
1-800-549-3720
At Stanford, we take care of the details so that you can focus on your health and wellness. Our doctors work as a team with nurses, advanced practice providers, registered dietitians, and technologists to coordinate every aspect of your care. We also offer a wide range of support services to promote healing and improve your quality of life. Learn more about our support services »
Please call our clinic receptionists at 650-725-0084. They are available Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to help you reschedule or cancel your appointment.
To determine if a clinical trial is right for you, talk to your doctor. He or she can refer you to a research coordinator for more information on studies that may be right for your specific condition.
You can also find the guidelines for who can participate in a particular clinical trial online. However, it is best to work with your doctor to decide the right care approach for your needs.
View list of open CyberKnife Stereotactic Radiosurgery Program disease clinical trials at Stanford »
Many of our programs are available to international patients.
Our International Medicine Services team can help you find the right doctor, estimate medical costs, book travel, and get you information about Stanford programs and services.
Please call +1 650-723-8561 or email IMS@stanfordhealthcare.org to get started.
For Referring Physicians
PHYSICIAN HELPLINE
Phone: 1-866-742-4811
Fax: 650-320-9443
Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Stanford Health Care provides comprehensive services to refer and track patients, as well as the latest information and news for physicians and office staff. For help with all referral needs and questions, visit Referring Physicians.