found this on the web from 2011 (cost estimated at 20,000-22,000 pounds in 2010)--hope it helps:
Groups > Cancer experiences > General cancer discussions > General cancer discussions - Discussion Forum > Can anyone tell me the best way to find out whether a person is suitable for Cyberknife treatment?
Can anyone tell me the best way to find out whether a person is suitable for Cyberknife treatment?
No. of entries: 5 | Posted on 23 Apr 2011 11:13 PM
VicolaW
Posted by VicolaW on 23 Apr 2011 11:13 PM
Hi,
My dad was recently diagnosed with terminal non small cell lung cancer. He was told that radiotherapy and surgery are not options because the tumour in the lung is too close to the central stem. Our PCT is Bury, which has a lot of money problems and so unusual or expensive treatments aren't even mentioned by oncology consultants because they know full well that the PCT won't fund them. Recently I came across information about the Cyberknife, which is in London and I was wondering if anyone knew the best way to find out whether a person is a suitable candidate for treatment with the machine if funding can be found? Do you just approach the clinic directly or do you have to be referred? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Vicola.
cyberknife
heywood
Posted by heywood on 24 Apr 2011 9:56 AM
Hi Vicola
I live in Heywood which is Heywood Middleton & Rochdale PCT. Am I correct in thinking that your dad visits Christies Manchester? I cant answer specifically your question, about treatment at other hospitals, but the protocol for this is found here
http://www.nhs.uk/choiceintheNHS/Rig...stochoice.aspx
Have you spoken to the consultant about cyberknife treatment? Christies have a new radiotherapy centre at Oldham hospital which opened last year. I dont know for certain, but is there a possibility that they have a cyberknife there. I think I would also be inclined to call the PCT and explore this issue with them to see whether it could be considered. My husband is treated at a hospital in London and has been for the last 4 years, so it is possible to be treated elsewhere. Certainly the procedure he has is not available anywhere in the north west.
Good luck heywood
Lemongrove
Posted by Lemongrove on 25 Apr 2011 12:23 AM
Hello Vicola,
If your Father wishes to be treated with Cyberknife under the NHS, he will need to get his Oncologist to refer him to a Hospital with Cyberknife.
Currently only one NHS hospital is accepting patients for Cyberknife treatment (Mount Vernon in Middlesex). However, several others have purchased Cyberknife and will soon start accepting patients for treatment (The Royal Marsden, Barts, St. James, Derrisford, and Charing Cross). I have included a list of PCT's who currently fund Cyberknife below. So far only 28 out of 151 PCT's fund it, despite the fact that MV only charge PCT's approximately £7,500 for a course of treatment - so the funding situation is dire.
If your Father can self fund, then he could be treated at either the Harley Street Cyberknife Centre, or The London Clinic, at 22 Devonshire Place. However, the cost is high (£22,000 for a course ), he would just need to telephone for an appointment.
List of PCT's that have funded Cyberknife:
> Durham, Brent, N.E. Essex, Greenwich, Plymouth, Sheffield, Bassetlaw,
> Southwark, Devon, Wales NHS Health Board, Enfield, Westminster, Northern
> Ireland Board, Kensington and Chelsea, Hounslow, Central Lancashire,
> Lincolnshire, East London City Alliance, Redbridge and Waltham Forest, North of Tyne, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly, Hertfordshire, North Staffordshire,
> Solihull, Gloucestershire, Lewisham, Sutton and Merton
Lemongrove
Posted by Lemongrove on 28 Apr 2011 9:57 AM
Just bumping this to make sure that Vicola gets info.
VicolaW
Posted by VicolaW on 28 Apr 2011 10:31 AM
Thanks Lemongrove! I've phoned the clinic in Harley Street and they say they have to have a referrel letter from the oncologist and a CD of all the imaging that is held on his file. So we're going to wait until after the chemo when hopefully the tumour will have shrunk a bit and may be of a suitable size to be treated. In the meantime we've made a private appointment with an onologist at the Brompton in London to see if there's anything they can offer there if we're willing to pay for it.
It comes to something when you can receive these treatments for free if you live in London can't receive them unless you're willing to pay if you live in the North. This postcode lottery business is an abomination.
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