The Colorado hospital expects to begin treating cancer patients with the linear accelerator in summer 2027, pending FDA clearance.
AdventHealth Castle Rock plans to install a new radiation therapy system from Siemens Healthineers at the Schrader Family Cancer Center in November, with patient treatments expected to begin in summer 2027 pending clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration.
The system, called Accela, is designed to deliver precisely targeted radiation faster than earlier systems, potentially shortening treatment sessions for cancer patients at the Colorado hospital.
Accela uses a medical linear accelerator to produce high-energy X-rays that target cancer cells while limiting radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissue.
“For the patient, that means less time spent working to stay still and less discomfort during what could otherwise be a long session,” says Michael Tallhamer, chief of radiation physics in AdventHealth’s Rocky Mountain Region, in a release.
Shorter Sessions, Local Access
Some radiation treatment plans require weekday visits over several weeks. By offering the technology in Castle Rock, the hospital aims to reduce travel to the Denver area for patients in the surrounding community.
“When someone hears the word ‘cancer,’ their life changes overnight. Anything we can do to make that journey a little easier matters,” says Amy Horner, regional director of oncology in AdventHealth’s Rocky Mountain Region, in a release.
Faster delivery could also reduce the chance that patient movement or shifts in organ position affect how closely the radiation hits its target, according to AdventHealth.
Imaging and Patient Tracking
The system’s imaging tools are designed to give care teams a clearer view of tumors and nearby healthy tissue. It also includes optical tracking, which uses cameras to monitor a patient’s position and can pause the radiation beam if the patient moves beyond preset limits. Specialized imaging allows care teams to see radiation delivery on the patient as it happens.
Commissioning Process
Before treatments begin, AdventHealth’s medical physicists will work with Siemens Healthineers and physicists from around the world to evaluate the system. The commissioning process will include checking image accuracy, measuring radiation beams for treatment planning, and testing the systems that track patient position.
“The technology is exciting, but what means the most is knowing that together we’re creating something that will serve local families for years to come,” says Horner in a release.
Photo caption: Siemens Healthineers’ Accela
Photo credit: AdventHealth
