BENGALURU, India — August 18, 2026: HealthCare Global Enterprises (HCG), Bengaluru, has commenced cancer treatment using Karnataka’s first Elekta Unity MR-Linac, marking a significant advancement in the availability of MR-guided adaptive radiation therapy in the state.
The technology combines a 1.5 Tesla MRI scanner with a linear accelerator, allowing clinicians to visualise the tumour and surrounding anatomy in real time during radiation treatment. This capability enables the treatment team to make online adaptations based on anatomical changes that may occur between treatment sessions, supporting more precise radiation delivery while helping limit exposure to surrounding healthy tissue.
The introduction of the technology comes as India continues to face a growing cancer burden. According to estimates from the Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN), new cancer cases in India are projected to reach 2.08 million by 2040, representing a 57.5% increase over 2020 levels. The growing burden is increasing the need for advanced, personalised treatment approaches that can respond to the individual anatomy and clinical needs of patients.
Dr. B.S. Ajaikumar, Founder and Chairman, HealthCare Global Enterprises Limited, said the installation of the Unity MR-Linac represents another milestone in HCG’s focus on precision cancer care.
“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.”
Dr. Manish Mattoo, Executive Director and CEO, HealthCare Global Enterprises Limited, said the technology is expected to strengthen the delivery of personalised radiation therapy.
“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.”
According to Elekta, the collaboration with HCG is aimed at expanding access to MR-guided online adaptive radiation therapy in the region. Dr. John P. Christodouleas, Head of Medical Affairs and Partner Research at Elekta, said the technology allows clinicians to adapt treatment according to the patient’s anatomy on the day of treatment.
First Patients Treated Using MR-Guided Adaptive Therapy
Among the early patients treated using the system was a 74-year-old man with high-risk, localised prostate cancer. He underwent hypofractionated radiotherapy on the Elekta Unity MR-Linac and completed his five-week treatment course without interruption while tolerating the treatment well.
Real-time visualisation of the prostate and surrounding anatomy allowed clinicians to account for prostate movement during treatment and target the tumour while helping minimise radiation exposure to nearby organs.
Dr. Surendra Reddy T, Consultant Radiation Oncologist, HCG Hospitals Hebbal, said:
“MR-guided adaptive radiotherapy represents an important advancement in precision cancer care, giving clinicians the ability to see the tumour and surrounding anatomy clearly and adapt treatment based on the patient’s anatomy at each session. This allows us to deliver radiation with greater accuracy while minimising exposure to healthy tissues and critical organs.”
Expanding Precision Radiation Oncology
MR-guided adaptive radiation therapy can be particularly useful for tumours located close to critical organs or in anatomical regions where changes may occur during a course of treatment. By providing real-time imaging, the technology enables clinicians to make treatment decisions based on the patient’s anatomy at each session.
HCG’s clinical launch of the Elekta Unity MR-Linac adds to the growing adoption of advanced image-guided and adaptive radiation technologies in India. As cancer centres increasingly adopt precision-focused treatment platforms, MR-guided radiation therapy could play a greater role in supporting personalised treatment strategies and improving the accuracy of radiation delivery.
For patients in Karnataka and neighbouring regions, the availability of the technology represents an additional advanced treatment option closer to home, reinforcing the broader shift toward personalised, image-guided and adaptive cancer care in India.
