The Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology was established at Kasturba Medical College Hospital, Manipal, in the year 1974 by Dr T M A Pai, Founder of Manipal.

The Department acquired a Telecobalt (Gammatron-R) Unit and Brachytherapy system. In the first year, the department has treated around 400 patients.  In order to cater to the increased number of patients and to improve the standard of treatment, subsequently the Radiotherapy facility was upgraded by adding one more Telecobalt Unit (AECL Theratron 780C), Linear Accelerator (Mevatron KDS-2), Treatment Planning Simulator (Mevasim), Computerized Treatment Planning System (AECL TP—11), Brachytherapy Units – High Dose (Cathetron), Strontium-90 Ophthalmic applicator and Superficial x-ray Units.

In 1991, with the financial assistance from Shamdasani Foundation, a modern multi-disciplinary cancer Hospital was started. This hospital is the Shirdi Sai Baba Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, a Unit of Kasturba Hospital, Manipal, which has the departments of Radiation Oncology, Medical Oncology, Surgical Oncology, Nuclear medicine, Pain and Palliative Care Unit, Psycho-Oncology. In addition to above facilities, the Hospital helps in early detection of cancer among population by conducting camps and creating awareness programs.

Further, the department has purchased Microselectron HDR Unit with PLATO Treatment planning system in 2001.  New Linear Accelerator with MLC and IMRT facilities are available since  2007.

The Hospital caters to the needs of the people from interior and coastal Districts of Karnataka, Northern districts of Kerala and the neighbouring state of Goa.

Quick Facts

• MCI accredited UG and PG course
• It is a part of Kasturba Hospital, which is ISO 9001:2008 (Quality Management system) and ISO 14000 (Environmental Management System) certified
• NABH (National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers under Quality Council of India) accredited – first medical college in Karnataka and second in India
• A part of KMC, consistently ranked amongst the first 10 best medical colleges in India for the last 5 years
• Affiliated to Manipal Academy of Higher Education
• Excellent structures, processes, outcomes related to both treating and teaching domains
• All cancer cases treated with highly sophisticated equipment
• Preventive and health promotive activities
• Speciality clinics, Tumour Board meetings, cancer screening programmes, orientation programmes will be conducted
• Latest equipment managed by a team of highly qualified professionals rendering their expert services full time
  
• Equipped to provide almost all possible therapeutic  services for inpatients and out-patients
• High patient load, a well-structured academic program and scope for research for postgraduate students.

Key highlights

Teaching for MD Radiotherapy, BSc MRT, MSc MRP course, Undergraduates, Biomedical Engineering students, BSc & MSc Nursing students on regular basis.

Conducting regular Continuing Oncology Education Programme (CME); Seminars, Journal Club, Case discussion on regular basis.

Conducting Breast Clinic once a week to decide on the treatment regime; Joint Tumour Board Meeting once a month with the participation of Medical Oncology, Radiation Oncology, Surgical Oncology, Nuclear medicine and Pain Clinic consultants.

Domiciliary Palliative Programme: Since 75-80% of patient patients come on an advanced stage of disease and most of them require palliative care, Palliative care programme for terminally ill cancer patients is being carried out through regular home visits.  Timely treatment is rendered as per the requirement. Trained Physician along with experienced social worker, Nurse if needed, visits the house and council the patient and relatives.  So far about 26 patients have been involved in this programme.

Started Shirdi Saibaba Cancer Care Endowment (SSCCE) Fund in 2000 as a major contribution from Manipal Foundation and Shamdasani Foundation to render the financial help for the poor and needy cancer patients.  This will also help in early detection of cancer among the regional population by conducting camps and creating awareness programmes

Key Features

• Cancer Screening Programme will be conducted routinely in and around Manipal.
• Palliative care programme for terminally ill cancer patients is being carried out through regular home visits.  Timely treatment is rendered as per the requirement.
• Psycho-Oncology Clinic is functioning for the needy cancer patients once a week. Frequency is increased depending upon the requirement.
• Group therapy for the caregivers of cancer patients is also carried out twice a week regularly.
• Started “Breast Cancer Fund”, towards early detection of breast cancer among rural women, utilizing for screening/ treatment of women of age group 45-60 years for breast cancer.
• Mammography Unit has been installed in November 2005. 
• Orientation and promotion of research programmes will be conducted every year.
• Curriculum designated to prepare not only compassionate, caring and competent Radiation Oncology consultants hut also to promote and prepare them for higher educations.
• Best infrastructure and experienced faculty profile.