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Oncology Insights Technology & Innovation India's Global Role

The Changing Landscape of Cancer Care: Technology, Personalisation & India's Emerging Global Role

How AI, adaptive radiation, robotic surgery, genomics, and integrated multidisciplinary care are transforming oncology — and why India is moving from adopter to contributor on the global stage.

8–10 min read Dr. Rajesh Mistry
Senior Director (Group) – Oncology, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital & MRI
20 million new cases/year globally
1.5 million cases/year in India by 2030
AI + Genomics + Robotic Surgery

Note: This article reflects the author's perspective on emerging trends in oncology and is for educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice. Individual treatment decisions should always be made in consultation with your treating team.

Theme

Technology-driven personalised care

Focus

AI, genomics, robotic surgery, MDT

Scope

India's rise as a global contributor

1 The growing cancer burden — and why transformation is urgent

Cancer is one of the most formidable health challenges of our time. Globally, the burden is rising steadily — with nearly 20 million new cancer cases and over 10 million deaths reported annually. In India, incidences have surged significantly, and the country is projected to see over 1.5 million new cancer cases annually by 2030.

This escalation is driven by lifestyle changes, environmental exposures, ageing populations, and — importantly — improved detection. We are finding more cancers because we are looking more carefully and with better tools.

20M+

New cancer cases globally per year

10M+

Cancer deaths globally per year

1.5M

Projected new cases in India by 2030

The traditional model of cancer care — built around generic treatment pathways — is rapidly becoming insufficient. The shift is now firmly towards personalised, precise, and adaptive care powered by data, genomics, and intelligent systems. This transformation is redefining every phase of cancer management, from diagnosis and staging through to treatment and survivorship.

2 Technology as the catalyst for cancer innovation

Over the past decade, technology has revolutionised oncology in ways that were previously unimaginable. Advanced imaging platforms, AI-powered diagnostic tools, and precision radiation systems now give clinicians the ability to detect and treat tumours with unprecedented accuracy.

Adaptive Radiation Therapy

Next-generation platforms with real-time imaging and adaptive planning deliver focused, high-dose radiation to tumours while sparing healthy tissue. These systems adjust to patient movement — including breathing — during treatment, enhancing both safety and outcomes.

AI & Machine Learning in Diagnostics

AI algorithms trained on vast datasets can identify malignancies earlier, predict disease progression, and suggest effective treatment protocols. Integration into pathology and radiology workflows is enabling faster, more accurate diagnoses and reducing human error.

Robotic & Minimally Invasive Surgery

Robotic-assisted surgery enables precise, minimal-access operations for complex cancers including esophageal, gastric, lung, and thoracic tumours. Reduced blood loss, shorter hospital stays, faster recovery, and improved oncological precision are well-established benefits.

Advanced Imaging Platforms

High-resolution CT, PET-CT, MRI, and endoscopic ultrasound provide detailed anatomical and functional information — enabling more accurate staging, better surgical planning, and more targeted treatment delivery.

Comprehensive care under one roof

Just as important as individual technologies is the shift towards end-to-end cancer care within a single integrated system — from screening and diagnostics through surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, rehabilitation, and palliative care. Seamlessly coordinated multidisciplinary care ensures continuity, reduces gaps, and improves quality of life.

3 The rise of precision oncology

Personalised medicine has emerged as one of the most significant frontiers in the fight against cancer. With genomic profiling and molecular diagnostics, clinicians can now tailor treatment plans based on the individual patient's tumour biology — not just their cancer type.

01

Gene panel testing in routine practice

Once confined to research laboratories, comprehensive gene panel tests are now routinely used to guide chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy decisions. Patients receive therapies designed for their specific mutational profile.

02

Targeted therapies for resistant cancers

This approach is particularly valuable in managing aggressive or previously treatment-resistant cancers — where standard chemotherapy has limited effectiveness but molecular-targeted agents may produce significant responses.

03

Data-driven, adaptive protocols

Cancer treatment is increasingly driven by centralised, data-rich systems that track outcomes, adjust to new evidence, and maintain consistency across networks — even in geographically dispersed locations.

04

Multidisciplinary tumour boards

By integrating genetic data, subspecialty inputs, imaging review, and patient preferences, tumour boards ensure every case is reviewed collectively — improving plan quality from diagnosis through to survivorship.

What this means for patients: Rather than receiving a generic protocol for "lung cancer" or "esophageal cancer," you are increasingly likely to receive a plan designed around your specific tumour's biology — with therapies selected because they are most likely to work for your cancer.

4 Setting global benchmarks: India's emerging role

India is no longer simply adapting Western oncology standards — it is beginning to create and implement its own globally benchmarked models. This is a meaningful shift in the global narrative of cancer care.

Technology adoption at scale

Advanced radiotherapy, robotic surgery, genomic labs, and AI-supported diagnostics are integral to leading Indian centres — and expanding into tier 2 and 3 cities through networked care delivery models.

Standardised clinical governance

Standardised protocols, organ-specific subspecialties, and tumour boards — once rare outside academic institutions — are becoming routine practice. Patients in smaller towns can now receive care comparable to metro centres.

Holistic comprehensive care

Indian cancer centres now provide genetic counselling, psychosocial support, nutrition guidance, and survivorship programmes alongside treatment — reflecting a complete view of what quality cancer care means in the 21st century.

Local adaptation, global standards

India's alignment with global best practices, while customising solutions to local needs and realities, positions the country as a contributor to the next chapter of global oncology — not just a recipient of global expertise.

The significance: A patient seeking cancer care in India today has access to clinical standards, surgical techniques, and diagnostic tools that are genuinely comparable to the world's best — with the added advantage of deep understanding of local disease patterns, population genetics, and dietary factors that influence both risk and recovery.

5 Looking ahead: building intelligent, equitable systems

The future of oncology lies in connected, intelligent ecosystems where patient data, genomic information, imaging, and clinical expertise converge to deliver the right treatment at the right time. As cancer increasingly becomes a chronic and complex condition, healthcare systems must become more responsive, more personalised, and more inclusive.

What the next chapter of cancer care looks like

Digital health infrastructure — integrated patient records, real-world outcome tracking, and AI-assisted clinical decision support across networks of care.
Genomics at scale — making molecular diagnostics and targeted therapy accessible not just in tertiary centres, but across the entire cancer care network.
Patient-centric models — where the patient's preferences, quality of life, and values are integral to treatment decisions — not an afterthought.
Equitable access — ensuring the benefits of precision medicine and advanced technology reach patients beyond major cities, through networked and digital care models.

India has the clinical talent, the technological ambition, and — critically — the patient volume to be at the forefront of this transformation. By continuing to invest in digital health, cross-disciplinary innovation, and patient-centric models, the country is well-positioned to redefine what excellence in cancer care looks like.

In closing

"In this future, comprehensive cancer care — integrated, personalised, tech-enabled, and accessible — will be the benchmark. And India is showing the world how it can be done."

— Dr. Rajesh Mistry, Senior Director (Group) Oncology, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital & MRI

Key takeaways

✓ Cancer burden is rising globally and in India — transformation of care is urgent.
✓ AI, adaptive radiation, and robotic surgery enable earlier detection and more precise treatment.
✓ Genomic profiling means treatment is designed around your tumour's specific mutations.
✓ Multidisciplinary tumour boards improve plan quality and reduce the risk of missed options.
✓ India is now setting global oncology benchmarks — not just adopting them.
✓ The future is connected, intelligent, equitable, and patient-centric — and India is building it.

Frequently asked questions

How is technology changing cancer care in India?

Advanced imaging, AI-powered diagnostics, adaptive radiation therapy, robotic surgery, and genomic profiling are now integral to cancer care at leading Indian centres — and are expanding beyond metros into tier 2 and tier 3 cities through networked care models. These advances allow earlier detection, more precise treatment, and personalised care plans matching global standards.

What is precision oncology?

Precision oncology uses genomic profiling and molecular diagnostics to tailor cancer treatment to the individual patient's tumour biology. Rather than applying a standard protocol for a cancer type, clinicians select therapies designed for the patient's specific mutational profile — improving outcomes especially in aggressive or treatment-resistant cancers.

What is a multidisciplinary tumour board?

A multidisciplinary tumour board is a structured meeting of cancer specialists — surgical oncologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists, and pathologists — who collectively review each patient's case and agree on the optimal treatment plan. This collaborative model reduces errors, ensures all options are considered, and is now standard practice at leading Indian cancer centres.

Is India becoming a global leader in cancer care?

Yes — and the transition is well underway. Several Indian centres now operate advanced radiotherapy platforms, robotic surgery programmes, genomic laboratories, and AI-supported diagnostic systems. Standardised protocols and subspecialty tumour boards are expanding beyond metro cities. India's combination of clinical depth, technology investment, and patient volume positions it as a meaningful contributor to global oncology — not just an adopter.

Views expressed are the author's own. Please consult your treating team for individual medical decisions.

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