Lucknow: Cancer treatment can now be completed in one to five sessions instead of the conventional seven-week schedule for early-stage patients, doctors said at the two-day UPAROICON-2026 organised by Kalyan Singh Super Speciality Cancer Institute.With UP reporting over 2 lakh new cancer cases annually, doctors said the technology could benefit thousands of patients with selected lung, brain, liver and bone cancers, particularly those with small tumours or patients who cannot undergo surgery.Dr Pramod Kumar Gupta of the institute’s radiotherapy department said the technology allows high doses of radiation directly to tumours with greater accuracy while reducing exposure to nearby healthy tissues, and the advanced technique can complete treatment in one, three or five sessions.Doctors said the treatment can be especially useful for select patients with early-stage lung cancer who are unfit for surgery and in certain brain tumours, liver cancers and cancer in a limited number of bones.The technique is also being used in some cases of kidney, adrenal, pancreatic and prostate cancers.Treatment begins with detailed scans to determine the exact size and location of the tumour. A computerised treatment plan ensures radiation is delivered precisely to the cancer while minimising damage to surrounding organs.Advanced imaging systems verify the tumour’s position before each session. Special motion-tracking methods are used when tumours move with breathing, particularly in the lungs and upper abdomen.A shorter treatment schedule reduces hospital visits and improves convenience for patients. However, doctors cautioned that fatigue, inflammation and other treatment-related complications can still occur.Experts also clarified that the new FLASH radiotherapy, being studied internationally, is different from the treatment being offered. While FLASH remains under clinical evaluation, radiation techniques discussed at the conference are already established and in use.According to National Cancer Registry Programme estimates, UP recorded about 2.1 lakh new cancer cases in 2022, while India reported nearly 14.6 lakh cases.KSSCI director, Dr MLB Bhatt, said modern treatment technologies are becoming increasingly important as the cancer burden continues to rise.Dr Roomita Singh said the five-session treatment is not suitable for every cancer patient. Eligibility depends on factors such as the type, size and location of the tumour and the patient’s overall health.The institute’s radiotherapy department head, Dr Sharad Singh, said the objective was not only to shorten treatment duration but also to improve precision, protect healthy tissues and make cancer care more convenient for eligible patients.
