Gujarat Emerges as a Leading Hub for Advanced Lung Cancer Treatment

Gandhinagar: Gujarat is strengthening its position as a national leader in lung cancer care, with the Gujarat Cancer and Research Institute (GCRI) in Ahmedabad treating 4,397 lung cancer patients between 2020 and 2024.

Out of these patients, 3,256 received support through the PMJAY-MA health scheme, showing the state’s strong focus on providing affordable and quality cancer care to its people.

On the occasion of World Lung Cancer Day, GCRI officials emphasised the importance of early detection and quitting tobacco, noting that more than 40% of lung cancer cases in India are diagnosed at late stages, which reduces the chances of successful treatment.

“Awareness is our best weapon. Early diagnosis, tobacco cessation, and timely treatment can save lives,” said Dr. Shashank Pandya, Director of GCRI.

The number of patients seeking treatment at GCRI has been growing each year:

700 patients in 2020

813 in 2021

865 in 2022

933 in 2023

1,086 in 2024

Of the total patients treated, 3,597 were men, 799 were women, and one was a child. Also, 1,426 patients came from other states, reflecting Gujarat’s rising reputation in specialised cancer care.

GCRI is also playing a major role in India’s medical tourism sector. It offers world-class treatment with advanced technologies such as CyberKnife, True Beam, TomoTherapy, Robotic Surgery, and top-level diagnostics like PET-CT, PSMA Scan, NGS, and 3 Tesla MRI.

Thanks to Gujarat’s 2006 Medical Tourism Policy, the state has seen a 33% growth rate in medical tourism, well above the national average of 20%. Cities like Ahmedabad, Vadodara, and Surat are home to top hospitals that offer specialised care in cardiology, neurology, orthopaedics, infertility, and oncology.

Hospitals such as Ahmedabad’s Civil Hospital (the largest in Asia), along with Zydus Hospitals and Shalby Hospitals, provide NABH/NABL-accredited services, modern diagnostics, and high-end surgeries—all at much lower costs compared to global prices.

With affordable care, easy visa support, cashless options, and excellent infrastructure, Gujarat has become a preferred destination for Non-Resident Gujaratis (NRGs) and international patients from Africa, SAARC countries, and the Middle East.