Built by Elekta & Philips, the pioneers in the field, MR Linac has the most powerful high-field (1.5 Tesla) MRI system and next-generation linear accelerator technology.
Yashoda Hospitals is the First and Only Hospital in India to have this superior, revolutionary technology.
MR Linac (Magnetic Resonance Linear Accelerator) is an innovative technology that combines a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device with a linear accelerator, offering a groundbreaking approach to cancer treatment. This technology allows for real-time visualisation of the tumour during radiotherapy, providing precise monitoring and positioning of the radiation beams directly over the tumour.
MR Linac integrates MRI and radiotherapy to treat various types of cancer, particularly those affecting soft tissues. Unlike traditional systems, the MR-Linac delivers radiation beams while simultaneously monitoring the target area using MRI. This unique combination of technologies empowers physicians to have exceptional control over radiation delivery by visualising internal anatomy and the tumour in real time. They can personalise and adapt each treatment with unprecedented precision and accuracy.
By merging a high-strength MRI machine with a linear accelerator, the MR-Linac enables highly accurate radiation treatment in a single device. The MRI component produces high-definition, real-time images of the tumour, while the linear accelerator maintains precise focus on the tumour, delivering targeted high-energy beams. This synergy between MRI and radiotherapy ensures unparalleled accuracy and effectiveness in delivering radiation treatment to patients.
MR Linac technology, a breakthrough in radiotherapy applications, allows for adaptive monitoring of the changes in the size and shape of the tumour before and during treatment, enabling precise delivery of high doses of radiation to the tumour.
With superior imaging capabilities compared to CT, the 1.5 Tesla MR-Linac device provides detailed visualisation of tumours, surrounding tissue, edema, and inflammation. This high-definition MRI-based radiation therapy allows for accurate tumour demarcation and personalised targeting of tumour cells while sparing normal tissue.
The advantages of MR Linac technology lead to significantly improved clinical outcomes, including improved local control, decreased toxicity, and a shorter course of treatment, thereby expanding the scope of radiotherapy.
Prostate Cancer
Head & Neck Cancer
Rectum Cancer
Pancreatic Cancer
Breast Cancer
Brain Cancer
Bladder Cancer
Liver Cancer
Lung Cancer
Gynecologic Cancer
Cholangiocarcinoma
Stomach Cancer
Due to body functions or changes in body composition, many tumours move during treatment and in between sessions. With its fast real-time visualisation capabilities, MR Linac helps to continually monitor these changes and re-optimize treatment plans.
Every patient has unique treatment needs, and by visualising the tumour's position, size, and shape, MR Linac ensures high-precision tumour targeting while minimising damage to surrounding tissues.
With real-time adaptive capabilities, radiation is delivered with continuous target visualisation throughout the treatment process, allowing for real-time adaptation and adjustment of treatment plans to ensure optimal outcomes.
MR Linac provides a comprehensive 360-degree view of the patient, leaving no room for the tumour to hide. This allows for accurate targeting of the tumour and delivers precise treatment.
Enabled with intelligent software, MR Linac provides enhanced soft-tissue contrast and functional information for optimised radiotherapy treatment. This AI-powered technology ensures the most effective and personalised care.
MR Linac's high field MRI provides pinpoint accuracy, unparalleled soft tissue contrast, and real-time imaging for tumour tracking and targeting during radiation therapy.
MR-Linac allows for daily dose reshaping and treatment adaptation, maximising the radiation dose delivered to the tumour while minimising radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissue, lowering the risk of complications, and improving progression-free survival rates.
With optimised radiotherapy treatment enabled by real-time visualisation and adaptive personalization, MR Linac is designed to deliver the best possible treatment outcomes.
When receiving treatment with MR Linac, your clinical team will provide a detailed explanation of the treatment process. Here is a concise overview of what you can expect:
Step
Before starting radiation therapy, your doctor will discuss treatment options, potential side effects, and address your questions or concerns.
Step
Special images of the body's interior using CT scans or MRI scans will provide information about the tumour's location, size, shape, and nearby organs.
Step
The expert team will determine the prescribed radiation dose as well as the precise radiation delivery sites by creating an individualised treatment plan.
Step
At the start of each session, a new MRI scan will be conducted and compared to the planning scans, and adjustments to the treatment plan will be made accordingly.
After each treatment session, you can go home. Following the completion of radiation therapy, regular follow-up appointments will be scheduled for up to five years to monitor your condition. Attending these appointments is crucial, even if you feel well.
Our dedicated team at Yashoda Hospitals is committed to providing you with the highest standard of care using this advanced technology.
Sr.Consultant-Radiation Oncologist & Clinical Director-Academics (Radiation Oncology)
Sr.Consultant Radiation Oncologist
Consultant Radiation Oncologist
Consultant Radiation Oncologist
Consultant Radiation Oncologist
Sr.Consultant Radiation Oncologist
Sr.Consultant Radiation Oncologist
Consultant Radiation Oncologist
“MR Linac at Yashoda Hospitals is the first of its kind in India, offering state-of-the-art technology that is transforming healthcare by integrating advanced imaging with radiation therapy, enabling medical professionals across multiple specialties to deliver personalised and precise treatments for enhanced patient care.”
MR LINACs (MRLs) are hybrid LINACs with a 1.5 Tesla MRI integrated into a Linear Accelerator. This combines real-time imaging and precise radiation therapy, which enhances treatment accuracy and reduces side effects, ultimately leading to improved treatment outcomes and a better quality of life.
The 1.5T MRI provides detailed visualization of the tumor and surrounding healthy tissues, enabling accurate delivery of radiation through adaptive treatment strategies like adapt to position (change in position) or adapt to shape (change in shape and/or size). Real-time imaging during radiation sessions tracks tumors and normal organs, facilitating dynamic adaptation by radiation oncologists.
MR Linac can be used to treat all types of cancer, including cancers of the head and neck, cervix, breast, esophagus, lung, liver, prostate, pancreas, rectum, and benign and malignant brain tumors.
Potential benefits for patients undergoing radiation on MR LINAC are precision radiotherapy with improved tumor and normal structure visualization, real-time imaging, adaptive treatment planning, reduced normal tissue toxicity, improved patient safety, greater treatment flexibility, potential dose escalation, improved outcomes, and research opportunities.
On the day of radiation, a pre-treatment MRI scan is done. This is followed by adaptive planning, involving real-time adjustments to cancer/tumor position, shape, or size and normal structures based on the pre-treatment scan. Subsequently, radiation is administered according to the daily treatment plan, during which real-time MRI tracking of cancer/tumor and normal structures is done. These integrated steps collectively contribute to minimizing side effects and enhancing treatment outcomes with less mortality.
MR guided Adaptive Radiotherapy (MRgRT) allows for the tracking of cancer/tumor and normal structures, as well as the reduction of planning margins, which helps minimize radiation to normal structures and reduce side effects.
Any cancer patient who has no contraindications to having an MRI can receive MR Linac treatment.
A typical MR Linac treatment session lasts 30-45 minutes, but in the case of Stereotactic MR guided Adaptive Radiotherapy, it can last up to 60 minutes.
Yes, it is covered under most insurances, and our insurance help desk can assist you with the process.
No, it is a safe treatment that has been approved by all international bodies worldwide, and many world-class cancer institutes have been using MR Linac for more than 4-5 years.
Yes, it can be performed safely for children with cancer.
Typically, after undergoing radiation therapy, patients are evaluated at 2-3 month intervals to assess their response to treatment.
Patients should not eat for at least 1-2 hours following radiation and should not carry any metal objects into the radiation treatment room.
Yes, follow-ups are required to assess the response to treatment.
No, MR Linac is exclusively available for the first time in India at Yashoda Hospitals, Hitec City, Hyderabad, Telangana.
With adaptive treatments, reduced side effects, personalized treatment, improved accuracy with real time imaging, fewer sessions, and monitoring treatment response, MR Linac positively impacts the quality of life for patients undergoing treatment.
The number of radiation sessions required is determined by the stage of the cancer. For example, for low-risk and intermediate-risk prostate cancer, we can consider 5 sessions of radiation over 1-2 weeks. Similarly, women aged 40-45 with stage I breast cancer, ER/PR +ve, HER2/neu -ve, node negative, and no high risk features can be considered for 5 MR Linac radiation sessions.
Yes, it can be used. However, it will be determined on a case-by-case basis after consultation with the Multidisciplinary Tumour Board (MDT). The terms Oligometastatic Disease and Oligoprogression have been introduced in cancer staging. When a patient has very few metastases (less than 3-5 sites) in addition to primary cancer, curative radiation treatments may be considered.
MR Linac treatment can be effective for various stages of cancer. However, the suitability of the treatment depends on the specific diagnosis, cancer stage, and individual patient factors. The radiation oncologist will determine the most appropriate treatment plan after a thorough assessment of the cancer diagnosis and staging.
Patients prepare for MR Linac treatment sessions after discussing the treatment plan with the radiation oncologist. This involves removing metal objects from the body and undergoing immobilization, imaging, and simulation. The radiation oncologist provides pre-treatment instructions, including fasting and medication guidelines, for all treatment sessions.
MR Linac precision radiotherapy, with its advanced features such as real-time imaging, adaptive treatment planning, and real-time MRI monitoring during radiation, costs slightly more compared to conventional Linac-based treatments.
For patients undergoing MR Linac radiation therapy, Yashoda Hospitals, Hitec City, offers support services such as financial counselling, guest accommodations, and transportation at nominal prices.
Treatment can begin as soon as the radiation oncologist finalises the radiation plan, which usually takes 4-7 days.
