Anniston, AL April 30th, 2026 RMC Health System (RMC) is proud to announce the launch of its Ion Bronchoscopy service line, marking a significant advancement in the early detection and diagnosis of lung cancer for patients across northeast Alabama.
This innovative program represents a critical next step in progressing survival rates for one of the deadliest forms of cancer in the United States. From 2018 to 2025, five year survival rates have improved nationally by 12% in part because advancements like the Ion system are becoming widely adopted, accelerating this trend. By 2025, Ion is projected to be the highest-volume modality for lung nodule biopsy in the United States, contributing to a U.S. average five-year survival rate exceeding 90% across all stages when detected and treated appropriately.
The need for this technology is especially urgent in Alabama, which ranks among the lowest in the nation for lung cancer survival. Current data shows a five-year survival rate in the state is only about 22%. One major reason for this is late detection; just 25% of lung cancer cases are diagnosed at an early enough stage so that the survival rate is approximately 65%. In contrast, about 43% of cases are not identified until later stages, when survival rates can fall to around 10%.
The Ion system is designed for early detection and minimally invasive diagnosis of lung cancer. It utilizes ultra-thin, highly maneuverable catheter that enables physicians to navigate deep into the lungs with precision and stability. This technology allows access to peripheral lung nodules, particularly those located in the outer third of the lung, which have historically been difficult to reach using traditional methods and is the best early indicator of present cancer in the lungs.
In 2025 alone, more than 3,100 patients in Alabama were impacted by Ion technology, demonstrating its growing role in improving diagnostic outcomes within the state.
RMC will be among the first 1,000 hospitals nationwide to implement this technology, the 13th in Alabama, and the first facility north and northeast of Birmingham to offer Ion Bronchoscopy to area patients.
The procedure can be performed under local anesthesia, enhancing patient comfort and reducing procedural risks while providing real-time navigation, allowing physicians to accurately locate and mark nodules for surgical intervention when necessary. Traditional CT-guided biopsy procedures have a national complication rate of 17%, while the robotic-assisted Ion procedures have a complication rate below 5%, a drastic difference when considering patient volumes and quality of care.
Timelines are crucial in lung cancer care, as some aggressive forms of cancer can advance complete stages in as little as six weeks. Traditional diagnostic timelines can take up to six months; however, Ion technology has reduced this window to approximately 28 days, enabling earlier intervention and improved outcomes.
Through the expansion of its respiratory oncology program, RMC aims to enhance early-stage cancer detection capabilities beyond traditional CT methods. By enabling faster and more accurate diagnoses, the program seeks to reduce mortality rates in northeast Alabama while also improving the timeline from detection to treatment, an essential factor in increasing patient survival.
About Regional Medical Center
Regional Medical Center (RMC) is a regional hospital based in Anniston, Alabama, serving patients across Northeast Alabama. Guided by its mission to provide state-of-the-art healthcare with integrity, RMC is committed to clinical quality, patient experience, community impact, and compassionate care. RMC is one of the region’s largest employers, supported by more than 1,800 team members, 300+ volunteers, and more than 200 physicians across a broad range of specialties. The hospital is accredited by the American College of Surgeons’ Commission on Cancer and has earned Blue Distinction Center+ recognition from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama for Orthopedic and Maternity Care. RMC was also the first Baby-Friendly designated birthing facility in Alabama and is recognized as an Age-Friendly Health System by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement.