IMSS to Launch CyberKnife Radiotherapy at CMN Siglo XXI

The Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) will introduce a new CyberKnife robotic radiotherapy system at the Oncology Hospital of the National Medical Center (CMN) Siglo XXI by the end of November. The technology is expected to enhance access to precise, timely, and high-quality cancer treatment for patients requiring millimetric surgical accuracy.

The CyberKnife System is a noninvasive radiation therapy used to treat cancerous and noncancerous tumors in various parts of the body, such as the brain, spine, prostate, lung, liver, and pancreas. It offers an alternative for patients who cannot undergo surgery or have complex cases. Treatments are usually completed in one to five sessions, and the system has over 20 years of clinical use supporting its effectiveness.

“The CyberKnife System combines advanced robotic technology with real-time imaging to deliver precisely targeted radiation to tumours in various parts of the body,” says 5D Clinics: CyberKnife Radiosurgery Australia.

Rafael Medrano, Director, Oncology Hospital, says the system enables high-precision tumor removal while minimizing damage to surrounding tissues. The new equipment will be used to treat cancers of the breast, prostate, liver, pancreas, kidney, abdomen, and central nervous system. With the addition of this system, the hospital will be able to perform between 30 and 35 radiotherapy sessions daily, operating from early morning to late evening.

Mexico will become the third country in Latin America, after Brazil and Colombia, to incorporate this latest-generation CyberKnife technology. The Oncology Hospital first introduced the system 12 years ago when it inaugurated the Robotic Radiosurgery Center at CMN Siglo XXI. This year, IMSS’ Technical Council approved the acquisition of the new version, described as one of the most advanced radiotherapy treatment platforms available.

According to Medrano, IMSS invested nearly MX$200 million (US$11.1 million) in the purchase and installation of the new system, which represents a significant expansion of its robotic surgery capabilities.

To ensure optimal operation, IMSS has implemented continuous training programs for staff managing the linear accelerators, Da Vinci surgical robot, and the upcoming CyberKnife. Training is provided at specialized medical units in the United States, Germany, and Brazil. About 50 professionals, including physicians, technicians, physicists, and nurses, will be directly involved in the system’s operation. This is relevant as “effective healthcare technology requires an understanding of the needs of both patients and clinicians,” says Martín Cruz, CEO and Co-Founder, Keirón Mexico.

Medrano adds that under the direction of IMSS leadership, efforts are focused on strengthening the continuum of oncological care. When a cancer diagnosis is identified at a Family Medicine Unit, patients requiring complex treatments or surgeries are referred directly to oncology hospitals for specialized attention.

Once admitted, each case is reviewed by a multidisciplinary tumor evaluation committee to ensure treatment begins within 20 days, whether it involves surgery, medication, or complementary radiotherapy.