1.10.2026
Accela: A new generation of precision radiotherapy at USZ
The Department of Radiation Oncology at University Hospital Zurich is one of the first centres worldwide to put the new Accela linear accelerator into operation. It allows cancer treatments to be delivered faster, with very high precision and tailored to each patient. This is especially important for complex tumours and metastases.
With the new system, most radiation treatments often take less than a minute. For suitable lung tumours, two to three short breath-holds are enough. For spinal metastases, a feature called spine tracking monitors the position of the spine throughout the treatment. If it shifts too far, the system automatically stops the radiation. In addition, the treatment can be adapted every day to the patient’s current anatomy, which is beneficial for prostate and head and neck tumours, for example.
The department helped develop the system as a member of an international consortium. The first patients are expected to be treated in 2026. Clinical studies will show how they benefit from the new technology.
