Kohima, August 2, 2025 – In a significant step towards enhancing access to world-class healthcare to Nagaland, Gurgaon-based Medanta – The Medicity, which has been ranked India’s Best Private Hospital by Newsweek for six consecutive years, organized a CME in Kohima on the topic “CyberKnife Radiosurgery for Benign and Malignant Lesions”.

Led by Dr. Tejinder Kataria, Chairperson, Radiation Oncology, Cancer Institute, Medanta, Gurugram, the event was to spread awareness and educate medical practitioners about CyberKnife radiosurgery — a non-invasive, high-precision treatment that uses focused radiation to target cancerous and noncancerous tumours without harming the surrounding tissue, and without making incisions. The event also emphasized the importance of public awareness about the latest therapies, advocating for early intervention and highlighting Medanta’s commitment to integrating advanced radiation technologies to transform cancer care for better outcomes and for control of debilitating conditions caused by benign tumors, ultimately transforming cancer care for better outcomes and quality of life.

India faces a growing cancer burden, with an estimated 14.6 lakh new cases in 2022 and a projected 12.8% increase by 2025.[1] One in nine people is likely to develop cancer in their lifetime, yet early detection remains low. Nagaland faces unique healthcare challenges due to a high prevalence of cancer – especially with regards to tobacco use – coupled with limited access to specialized care[2]. In fact, cancer ranks among the top five leading causes of death in the state[3]. This high occurrence underscores the urgent need for increased awareness and improved access to cancer care treatment, and early intervention to improve patient outcomes.

Dr Tejinder Kataria, Chairperson, Radiation Oncology, Cancer Institute, Medanta, Gurugram, who was the speaker at the event, said, “CyberKnife radiosurgery is a robotic radio surgery system in which a miniature, lightweight linear accelerator is mounted on a robotic arm and used to focus radiation of the affected body part. This is bloodless, painless, without anaesthesia surgery. This process can also be used in cases of oligometastatic cancer -- where the metastases have spread from the primary tumor to up to five other parts of the body.”

She also added: “Each treatment session lasts around 30-45 minutes, and the patient can be comfortably lying down while the radiation dose is given. The entire treatment cycle lasts 1-2 weeks across 1-7 fractions, delivering optimal doses of radiation in fewer sessions, as compared to conventional radiation therapy. She emphasized the importance of a patient-first approach, using precision-driven, minimally invasive treatments that enhance treatment effectiveness, improve patient outcomes and quality of life, and make treatment more accessible and cost-effective.

Dr Naresh Trehan, Chairman and Managing Director of Medanta, noted that North East India is a region that has long been underserved with respect to health care services. “At Medanta, we believe that quality healthcare should be a right, not a privilege. Expanding quality healthcare to India’s underserved populations is not just a strategic objective—it is a moral imperative. Our highly experienced doctors are distinguished experts in their specialties, and embody the Medanta ethos – ‘Har Ek Jaan Anmol’ (Every Life Is Precious),” he shared.

At Medanta, apart from CyberKnife, the other advanced technologies include TomoTherapy, Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT), Image-Guided Brachytherapy, Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), and Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) to treat complex cancers with greater precision, helping improve control rates and reduce side effects. These techniques are routinely used to manage a wide range of cancers and tumors, including those affecting the head and neck, lungs, brain, prostate, pancreas, kidneys, liver, and pediatric cancers, often without the need for surgery. The functional radiosurgery program at the hospital has also made significant strides in treating neurological disorders such as uncontrolled pain, sudden hearing loss, and involuntary movements when conventional treatments prove ineffective. Additionally, innovative approaches, like the MAOLO applicator, have also shown promising results in achieving remission for patients with advanced-stage gynecological cancers.

The CME was organized subsequent to Medanta organizing a three-day Medical Camp in Kohima between June 25-27, 2025. The multi-speciality event, set up in association with IDAN, Government of Nagaland; Directorate of Industries and Commerce; and Nagaland Police, sought to bring advanced and accessible health care to the underserved population of Nagaland and saw the participation of more than 400 people. Earlier, Medanta signed an MoU with the Nagaland government for accreditation to the Chief Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme (CMHIS). 

[1]https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10231735/#:~:text=Results:,2025%20as%20compared%20to%202020.
[2] https://nagahealth.nagaland.gov.in/programmes_details?id=MTMz
[3] https://ncdirindia.org/All_Reports/NorthEast2021/resources/NE_chapter7.pdf