Bengaluru, Aug 5: HealthCare Global Enterprises, Bengaluru, has begun treating cancer patients using Karnataka’s first Elekta Unity MR-Linac. With this milestone, HCG opens up access to MR-guided adaptive radiation therapy for patients across Karnataka and neighbouring regions, bringing one of the most advanced approaches in radiation oncology closer to those who need it.
Unity combines a high-field 1.5 Tesla MRI scanner with a linear accelerator, enabling clinicians to visualise the tumor and surrounding anatomy in real time during treatment. This allows the care team to adapt the treatment plan online to anatomical changes that occur from one treatment session to the next, helping deliver highly precise radiation while protecting surrounding healthy tissue.
The need for such technology is real. Cancer is among India’s fastest-growing health challenges, and Karnataka too is seeing a steady rise in new cases every year. The Global Cancer Observatory estimates that new cancer cases in India will reach 2.08 million by 2040, a rise of 57.5 percent over 2020 levels. Numbers of this scale call for treatment that is more precise, more personalised, and able to adapt to each patient as their treatment progresses.
Dr. B.S. Ajaikumar, Founder and Chairman, HealthCare Global Enterprises Limited, said:
“In the era of precision medicine, HCG is proud to add one more milestone with the installation of the Unity MR-Linac, where precision is taken to the level of near perfection. With this adaptive therapy, patients who qualify for the treatment will benefit immensely from radiation focused directly on the tumor, with minimal or no exposure to the surrounding healthy tissue. This gives us the opportunity to deliver the right treatment and improve outcomes with minimal or no side effects. And this is what HCG has always stood for – bringing the world’s most advanced cancer care to patients here at home, in Karnataka and across India.”
Dr. Manish Mattoo, Executive Director and CEO, HealthCare Global Enterprises Limited, said:
“With Karnataka’s first Elekta Unity MR-Linac now treating patients, HCG is redefining the delivery of radiation therapy. Real-time imaging and adaptive treatment enable highly precise, personalised care while protecting healthy tissue. Combined with our multidisciplinary approach, this technology will help improve patient outcomes and expand access to advanced cancer care across Karnataka and neighbouring regions.”
Feras Al Hasan, Head – TIMEA, Elekta, said,
“We are thrilled to partner with HCG hospitals and welcome them to our global community of Unity MR-Linac users. Elekta’s Unity MR-Linac ensures clinicians can accurately hit the tumor target and spare healthy tissue, even when the target moves. As early adopters of technology, HCG hospitals have always been ahead of the curve, serving patients with intent & accuracy. We believe our cutting-edge technology will enable their clinicians to deliver enhanced patient care through better dosing and visualization capabilities. We will further collaborate with HCG hospitals to accelerate adoption of adaptive radiotherapy in the country through workshops & skilling programs. This reaffirms our commitment to advancing high-quality cancer care across the region.”
Dr. John P Christodouleas, Head of Medical Affairs and Partner Research at Elekta, said:
“We are delighted to partner with HCG as they bring MR-guided online adaptive radiation therapy to patients in Karnataka. HCG’s commitment to providing patients with the most advanced treatment options is exemplary and this milestone reflects their leadership in advancing precision cancer care in India. By enabling clinicians to adapt treatment in real time based on the patient’s anatomy on the day of treatment, Unity is helping redefine what is possible in radiation therapy.”
This milestone reflects the shared commitment of HCG and Elekta to expand access to advanced precision radiation therapy and strengthen cancer care in India. For patients, the difference is practical. MR-guided adaptive radiation therapy offers a more personalised treatment experience. Treatment is adapted to their anatomy on the day of each session, providing greater confidence that radiation is delivered precisely to the target while minimising exposure to surrounding healthy tissue. This approach is particularly valuable for tumors located close to critical organs or in areas where anatomy changes during treatment, allowing clinicians to make informed treatment decisions based on real-time imaging.
The clinical launch at HCG adds to the steady adoption of image-guided, adaptive radiation therapy in the country. As more providers invest in these technologies, MR-guided treatment is set to play a larger part in improving treatment accuracy, supporting better patient outcomes and bringing world-class cancer care within reach of more patients.