Is it really "as good as surgery"?

CyberKnife Radiosurgery in Istanbul

Medically reviewed by Prof. Dr. Mehmet Kaya · radiation oncology, CyberKnife program lead
Reviewed 02 Jul 2026 · consent verified

In short

CyberKnife treats small, well-defined tumors — brain, spine, lung, prostate — without incisions, in 1–5 outpatient sessions. A full course in Istanbul costs $7,000–10,000 vs ~$25,000 in Germany. The tumor board confirms candidacy from your imaging in 72 hours — and says so honestly when surgery or IMRT would serve you better.

No incisions, 1–5 outpatient sessions. Full course $7,000–10,000 vs ~$25,000 in Germany. Board confirms candidacy in 72h — honestly.

Cost per course

UPDATED Q3 2026PLACEHOLDER

Course

Istanbul

Germany typ.

Typical use

Single session (SRS)

$7,000–8,000

$18,000

single brain met

3 fractions

$8,000–9,000

$21,000

spine, lung

5 fractions

$9,000–10,000

$25,000

prostate

Includes planning CT/MRI fusion, physics QA, all fractions, physician review, final report. Ranges come from partner-hospital quotes, updated quarterly.

Get an exact quote for your case

Cost per course

Q3 2026

Single session

$7,000–8,000

3 fractions

$8,000–9,000

5 fractions (prostate)

$9,000–10,000

Germany typ. $18–25,000 · placeholder

The machine

[ CyberKnife S7 in treatment room — documentary ]

[ CyberKnife S7 — documentary ]

CyberKnife S7

Accuracy

sub-millimeter (<1 mm)

Tumor tracking

real-time, follows breathing

Fixation

none — no frame, no screws

Session length

30–60 min, outpatient

Anesthesia

not required

Accuracy

<1 mm

Tracking

real-time, breathing

Session

30–60 min · outpatient

Also available at partner hospitals: Gamma Knife Icon, TrueBeam STx — the board picks the platform per case, not per brochure.

Are you a candidate?

Typically suitable

Well-defined tumors up to ~5 cm

1–3 brain or spine metastases

Early prostate cancer (low/intermediate risk)

Stage I lung cancer when surgery isn't an option

Recurrence in a previously irradiated area

Usually better served otherwise

Large or diffuse tumors — surgery or IMRT/VMAT

Many metastases — systemic therapy first

Resectable tumors in fit patients — surgery remains standard

About a third of CyberKnife inquiries we review are redirected to a better-indicated treatment. We tell you either way.

Typically suitable

Tumors ≤5 cm · 1–3 brain/spine mets · early prostate · inoperable stage I lung · re-irradiation

Usually better served otherwise

Large/diffuse tumors · many metastases · resectable disease in fit patients

Send your imaging. Get a yes or no — with reasons.

Prof. Kaya's board answers in 72 hours, free.

Check my candidacy — freeCheck my candidacy

Fair questions about CyberKnife

For the right indications — small, well-defined targets — local control rates are comparable. For resectable tumors in fit patients, surgery remains the standard and our board will say so. Marketing that presents radiosurgery as universally equivalent is one reason we publish honest candidacy criteria.

Every cancer case is individual. Assessments do not replace in-person examination.Every cancer case is individual. Assessments are based on the reports you provide and do not replace in-person examination. Survival statistics are population-level data, not personal predictions.

Gamma Knife vs CyberKnife →IMRT/VMAT course prices →Prof. Dr. Mehmet Kaya — profile →

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