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Advanced Technology to Fight Cancer Arrives at BayCare Hospitals
November 18, 2024
Continuing its commitment to be a leader in the fight against cancer, BayCare has invested in the latest advanced technology for radiation therapy by installing three new linear accelerators at hospitals in Hillsborough, Pinellas and Polk counties.
St. Anthony’s Hospital Cancer Center began using its new radiation treatment system in June. Later in the month, the St. Joseph’s Cancer Institute began using its new system for image-guided radiotherapy. In September, Winter Haven Hospital brought its linear accelerator online. All three linear accelerators deliver advanced, highly targeted radiation treatments quickly with precision and accuracy.
The St. Anthony’s linear accelerator replaces a linear accelerator that came online at the center in 2008. The $5.9 million investment included the cost of the machine and renovations to the facility to incorporate the new device.
“Although the older machine was still functioning well, St. Anthony’s and BayCare recognized that there was improved technology available,” said Jeff Raines, St. Anthony’s Hospital manager of oncology services and outpatient infusion. “The investment in the new device is really our investment in the care for our community.”
The new device can treat a variety of cancers by providing a precise dosage of radiation quickly, Raines said. It has the capability to treat patients every five minutes with radiation prescribed by the radiation oncologist. More complex cases would take just a few minutes more.
At St. Joseph’s, the new $4 million system offers many features that make treatment comfortable for the patient, while also easy to use for the clinical staff. Treatments can be completed in as few as nine steps, significantly less than required with older systems.
“We are very excited to offer an advanced treatment option to the patients of our community,” said Michelle Moore, St. Joseph’s Cancer Institute manager. “Our new linear accelerator contributes to the hospital’s growing reputation as a leader in clinical excellence and compassionate care.”
For improved patient comfort, the system at St. Joseph’s operates quietly, with a couch that is low to the ground for easy patient access. The spacious circular bore that the patient passes into during treatment is larger than those on standard CT machines, and soft ambient lighting is designed to contribute to patient comfort and relaxation.
The system’s technology also helps to reduce treatment time. In many cases, patients can be in and out of the cancer institute in less than 15 minutes per day over the course of treatment.
In conjunction with the new linear accelerator, a Surface Guided Radiation Therapy (SGRT) system also has been installed. The SGRT will particularly benefit patients suffering from cancer of the left breast, as it helps the radiotherapy team protect the heart.
At Winter Haven, the new system cost $4.4 million. “The benefits of this machine are the speed and the technology,” said Virginia Carballo, the manager of oncology services at WHH. “The new system has superior image quality for precise guidance of radiation therapy. We only want to hit the tumor, not healthy tissue.”
In addition to St. Anthony’s, St. Joseph’s and Winter Haven, Morton Plant Hospital also offers linear accelerator treatment. All of BayCare’s cancer centers are accredited by the American College of Radiology.
These additions, coupled with the previously announced construction of the first Proton Radiation Therapy Center in the Tampa Bay area, are examples of BayCare’s unwavering commitment to offering cutting edge treatment options to our patients.
Learn more about BayCare’s cancer treatment options.