September 23, 2013

As part of the strategy to improve cancer care for our patients at Good Samaritan, the Radiation Therapy Department will be installing a new Linear Accelerator (LINAC) the week of Sept. 30. The goal is to be operational by Dec. 1. The old LINAC will be removed this week.

During the installation period, services will still be offered in this center and physicians will be offering consults. Patients are being directed to one of our other locations for treatment.

"The new LINAC is an upgrade to new technology of radiation therapy that provides more effective treatment options for our patients," said Mark Witte, executive director, TriHealth Cancer Institute. 

What is a Linear Accelerator?
A linear accelerator (LINAC) is used for external beam radiation treatments for patients with cancer. It delivers high-energy x-rays to the region of the patient's tumor. These x-ray treatments can be designed in such a way that they destroy the cancer cells while sparing the surrounding normal tissue.