India got the first of its kind advanced cancer treatment system that tracks cancer tumors in real time. Known as Elekta Unity MR Linac, this machine performs magnetic resonance imaging in real time....

India got a first-of-its-kind advanced cancer treatment system that tracks cancer tumours in real-time. Known as the Elekta Unity MR Linac, this machine combines real-time magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with precision radiation therapy. In simple terms, this system combines two important features: an MRI scanner (which shows clear pictures of the inside of the body) and a radiation machine (which targets and kills cancer cells).

The machine, currently installed at Yashoda Medicity in Ghaziabad, is the first in the country to incorporate Comprehensive Motion Management (CMM), a feature that improves accuracy by tracking the slightest body movements during treatment. It tracks the slightest movements that occur in the body while treating cancer. This means that if a patient moves or breathes, the machine adjusts in real time, so that the radiation still reaches exactly the right spot.

This allows doctors to change the radiation dose each day based on changes in the patient's anatomy. The result is that cancer cells can be better targeted and nearby organs can be protected. Because it uses MRI instead of a regular CT scan, it gives much clearer pictures, especially of soft tissues such as organs. Doctors can change the treatment plan each day depending on how the patient's body responds.

This makes treatment more precise, safer and faster, especially helpful for people with smaller tumors or those who need radiation more than once. The Elekta Unity system uses a high-resolution 1.5 Tesla MRI scanner to provide clear, real-time images of the tumor and surrounding healthy tissue. This is particularly useful for treating smaller tumors, lymph nodes and cases where patients need to undergo radiation more than once. The machine also supports hypo-fractionated treatments, delivering higher doses in fewer sessions, making the process faster and more comfortable for patients.

Dr Upasana Arora, Managing Director, Yashoda Medicity, said, "This is a transformational step in cancer care. We can now personalise every radiation session in real-time, improving outcomes and reducing side effects." The new system also enables treatment planning remotely. Doctors can review and approve patient plans from anywhere, improving speed and flexibility. It also sets the stage for future methods such as biology-guided radiotherapy (BGRT), which aims to personalise treatment based on biological signals such as gene expression. Dr Gagan Saini, Vice President and Head of Radiation and Oncology, Yashoda Medicity, said the technology is a timely addition, as India sees over 1.4 million new cancer cases every year. "This MR linac ensures faster, safer and more precise treatment, especially for patients who require repeated treatments," he said. Once operational, the Elekta Unity MR Linac is expected to set a new standard for cancer care in India.

PC:Samacharnama