One of the most innovative features of Baptist Health Care’s new $650-million hospital campus in Pensacola is the cancer treatment technology known as linear accelerators or LINAC.

The specialized devices deliver high-energy X-rays to target and destroy cancer cells while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue.

“The precision and versatility of linear radiation make it a cornerstone in modern oncology,” says Bryan Taylor, executive director of Baptist Cancer Institute. “LINAC devices deliver highly accurate targeting of cancerous cells while giving physicians the ability to precisely locate the tumor with imaging techniques such as CT scan and minimize side effects and damage to nearby healthy tissues and organs.”

Another important advantage of linear accelerators is the ability to create customized treatment plans tailored to each patient's unique condition. This customization enhances treatment efficacy and minimizes potential complications.

Linear accelerators often are paired with image-guided radiation therapy, or IGRT, a scanning device that provides physicians with real-time imaging during the course of radiation treatment.

This allows clinicians to monitor changes in the tumor position or surrounding anatomy, making real-time adjustments if necessary. IGRT further enhances treatment accuracy and ensures the radiation is consistently delivered to the intended target.

Advancements in linear radiation technology, says Taylor, have led to faster treatment times, which improves patient convenience and reduces the likelihood of patient movement during treatment, enhancing precision.

“The efficiency gained through accelerated treatment processes contributes to better overall patient outcomes,” Taylor adds. — By Carlton Proctor

Florida Cancer Facts

Cancer has been the second leading cause of death — after heart disease — among Floridians for the past decade. There were an estimated 162,410* new cancer cases in Florida in 2023. Last year, about 47,170 Floridians died of cancer.

Incidence Rates of Cancer
(2016-2020)

• Florida: 452.4 per 100,000 people
• United States: 442.3 per 100,000 people

Top 5 Cancers in Florida Women

• Breast cancer
• Lung and bronchus
• Colorectal
• Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
• Melanoma

Top 5 Cancers in Florida Men

• Prostate
• Lung and bronchus
• Colorectal
• Melanoma
• Bladder

Note: *Excludes basal cell and squamous cell skin cancers and in situ carcinoma except urinary bladder. Sources: American Cancer Society; National Cancer Institute; Florida Cancer Connect