Over the last two decades, technology has evolved and revolutionized healthcare, and surprised us with its outcomes. It changes the perspective of treatment, procedure, and diagnosis, and enhances the patients’ and the doctor’s experience.
Earlier, detecting tumors and cancer was hard and needed major surgeries to treat them with large cuts. The development of image-guided interventional oncology shows how cancer and tumor treatment have changed over time. With the help of Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), and Positron Emission Tomography (PET), these advanced medical imaging machines help doctors to treat tumors more precisely, with less damage to healthy tissue.
Cryoablation is a procedure that treats small tumors or areas where surgeries are at higher risk. In this procedure, cold gas-containing needles are used to freeze and destroy abnormal tissue. MRI-Guided cryoablation is a nonsurgical procedure that targets abnormal tissues while preserving healthy tissue.
In the modern MedTech ecosystem, MRI-guided cryoablation is a high-precision, image-driven, and minimally invasive cancer therapy that provides patients with high outcomes and minimal invasiveness.
Why will Hospitals in India Adopt Advanced Imaging-Based Cancer Therapies?
In India, the number of cancer patients has significantly increased to 12.8% compared to 2020. According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), in India alone, the estimated number of incidences of cancer cases was more than 14 lakhs in 2023.
In most cases, approximately 40-48% of patients are diagnosed with cancer in distant metastasis stages, ~50-60% are diagnosed in the advanced stage, and only ~15-33% of cases are diagnosed in the early stage. However, the data will vary by cancer type.
Patients prefer the fast recovery over old traditional methods like big cuts, intense pain, and blood loss. These advanced imaging technologies bring a treatment revolution for cancer and tumor patients. Therefore, Indian hospitals must invest in these imaging machines and adopt the latest technologies to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving industry.
If this kind of treatment is available within the country, then nobody will need to go abroad for their treatment. Also, it will reduce patients’ treatment costs and increase the hospital’s revenue.
Why Advanced Imaging-Based Cancer and Tumor Therapies Matter for Modern Hospitals
To stay competitive in the large healthcare industry, hospitals must keep up to date with new technologies such as AI-based image analysis, 3D imaging, molecular imaging, and robotic-assisted surgery. It not only enhances patients’ treatment experience but also builds a strong foundation for the hospital’s future health tech innovations.
- Early and Accurate Diagnosis: Advanced imaging machines help doctors identify diseases at an early stage. This increases the patient’s survival rates and provides more time for doctors to plan treatment accurately.
- Image-Guided Treatments: Image-guided treatments are less invasive. Recently, Sydney’s Liverpool Hospital has treated a tumor patient using MRI-guided cryoablation with a single minimally invasive needle, minimal blood loss, pain-free surgery, and same-day recovery.
- Better Treatment Planning: Using modern imaging machines, doctors can understand tumors and cancer diseases, including their exact size, position, metastatic sites, and blood supply. This will help doctors to personalize treatment plans more accurately.
- Hospital Efficiency and Revenue Growth: Using modern technology and advanced imaging machines, hospitals can enhance their productivity and achieve better outcomes. This will help them speed up diagnosis and increase patients’ volume and revenue growth.
Real-world example
- In January 2026, in India, Delhi-based Apollo Hospital performed its first-ever image-guided cryoablation for a cancerous tumor near the heart. The procedure was performed under real-time imaging ultrasound guidance. The procedure took 30 minutes, involved no large cuts or stitches, and the patient was discharged the next day. Apollo Hospital became the first hospital to perform North India’s first breast cancer cryoablation procedure. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in India. Approximately 192,020 new cases were reported in 2022 in India, according to a report published by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
- In Australia, Sydney’s Liverpool Hospital performed its first MRI-guided cryoblation for a cancerous tumor in the spine. The treatment was successful, and the patient was discharged the next day.
What Does a Hospital Need to Start Image-Guided Cryoablation?
Implementing image-guided cryoablation is not as simple as adding a new machine. Instead, hospitals need to be aware of all the technical plus financial readiness.
MRI machine
Hospitals need to deploy a 1.5T or 3T MRI system, which is quite an expensive investment. Earlier, India used to import all the MRI machines from other countries, but things have changed now. Many emerging Indian companies have developed indigenous 1.5T MRI machines. Due to the local manufacturing, the cost of these machines is less compared to imported machines. You can visit Jirizmi’s webpage to learn more about these homegrown MRI system manufacturers.
The cost of these machines varies between companies and models, but in general, it starts from ~ Rs. 1 crore.
Cryoablation console:
The cryoablation console is a device that acts as a control unit for delivering, regulating, and monitoring extreme cold energy (liquid nitrogen or argon gas) to destroy abnormal tissues, such as tumors or cardiac arrhythmias, without surgery. Additionally, an MRI-compatible probe and a gas supply system are required.
Human Resources:
Hospitals require human resources that are equally important, including trained interventional radiologists, MRI technologists, and an anesthesiologist team familiar with MRI-safe protocols.
MRI-Guided Cryoablation ROI for Hospitals in India
For a good ROI, hospitals need to run awareness programs because many people don’t know about these therapies, which are new in India. Although these therapy costs vary in each case and depend on the hospital. Let’s assume a general significant annual revenue
Per procedure ~ Rs. 2-4
No. of cases in a month ~10-12
Total cases in a year ~ 120- 180 cases
This is a general overview. However, this scenario can vary based on factors such as the number of cases, pricing strategy, and consumable costs. But we can definitely see this clinical upgrade as a long-term strategic and financial decision.
Technology Integration within the Hospital Digital Ecosystem
In today’s world, everything is connected digitally, and this is the future demand. The MRI-guided cryoablation is only effective when they integrate seamlessly with the Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS), Radiology Information System (RIS), and Hospital Information Management System (HIMS). Each platforms have their own role, such as:
PACS:
The MRI images are stored in the PACS so that doctors can view images from anywhere and compare them. The hospital must choose the PACS platform with the latest features.
HIMS:
HIMS can be used to record, schedule appointments, and manage patients’ demographic data. Billing information, images, discharge summaries, history, and treatment plan all automatically sync with the system.
RIS:
RIS platforms are used to handle all radiology-related scheduling, reporting workflow, and tracking of interventional radiology cases.
Oncology Workflow Integration:
Oncology workflow platforms are used to manage cancer patient information across the entire care journey, including screening, diagnosis, treatment planning, therapy, and follow-up care. These platforms integrate with multiple departments such as radiology, pathology, medical oncology, radiation oncology, and surgical teams to ensure seamless data flow and patient tracking. As a result, an efficient oncology workflow enables timely diagnosis, accurate treatment decisions, improved care coordination, and better overall patient outcomes.
Cybersecurity Considerations:
Hospitals must implement advanced technologies, such as blockchain methods, which help the organization by reducing the risk of cyberattacks. MRI images are high-value medical data. Secure servers and controlled access systems are necessary to protect patient information. Jirizmi can help you understand which of the top 10 HIMS and RIS software providers in India is right for your hospital and radiology centers.
Market Adoption in India and Strategic Competitive Advantage
In India, MRI-guided cryoablation procedures are new. Currently, this type of procedure is being performed in Tier-1 cities by some private hospitals, including Yashoda Hospitals in Hyderabad, Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research Centre (RGCIRC) in New Delhi, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals in Delhi, and Nanavati Max Super Speciality Hospital in Mumbai, among others. But for a highly populous country like India, it’s not enough. Multi-specialty hospitals in Tier 2 cities also adopt this technology because it can enhance their brand value and create long-term revenue opportunities.
However, there are several challenges, including:
- A high capital investment is required. The cost of these machines and systems runs into crores of rupees.
- This procedure required specialized, skilled interventional radiologists.
- Lack of awareness among people.
- Lack of infrastructure
Conclusion:
However, this technique is not new in healthcare. Several countries, including China, the Netherlands, South Africa, and Australia, are utilizing this procedure to treat cancer and tumors. But in India, it is new, and the future of this technology is highly promising. As cancer and tumor cases are rising in India, everybody wants a less invasive treatment. With the growing demand for imaging services, it is a great opportunity for a hospital to establish its brand in this large healthcare industry, gain a unique identity, and create long-term revenue opportunities.