Acharya Tulsi Regional Cancer Treatment & Research Institute
(Regional Cancer Centre)
S.P. Medical College & Associated Group of Hospitals, Bikaner 334 001 (Rajasthan)

Mr. V. K. Agrawal,
Radiation Physics,
Acharya Tulsi Regional Cancer Treatment & Research Institute,
S. P. Medical College & Associated Group of Hospitals,
Bikaner (Raj.)

Historically, cancer disease is thousands of years old. The evidence of cancer treatment is also equally old. The treatment was dependent on the belief and knowledge available at that time. The middle of 19th century witnessed significant development of various branches of science including medicine. With the development of science, the diagnosis, treatment of cancer and the related research work began during 1930 to 1950. Because of systematic research and development, cancer was treated by medicines, surgery and also Radiotherapy.

Treatment of cancer patients in Bikaner has a very old and distinguished history. Even earlier than 1940, in the whole North-West India, Bikaner was the only place to provide Radiation Therapy by the deep and superficial X-Ray to cancer patients. In pre-independence era, cancer treatment by Radium was made available here. The first Tele Cobalt-60 machine for treatment of cancer patients was commissioned in 1965. Keeping pace with the development in the treatment of cancer around the world, Bikaner became one of the oldest and prime centres of treatment of cancer in North-West part of country.

Here I wish to quote our President Professor A.P.J. Kalam "dream big". Dr. D. P. Punia dreamed big. He worked tirelessly with his youthful energy, wisdom, farsighted vision and' concern for common man in general and cancer patients in particular, in order to realise his dream to reality. He lead the team from front, while involving philanthropists, administrators, politicians, social workers, spiritual and religious gurus for providing better treatment facilities to cancer patients. In the process, he was supported by his team.

As a consequence, Government of India recognised the cancer treatment facility at Bikaner as "Regional Cancer Centre" on 19th July 1999. Thus this centre became the 13th Regional Cancer Centre (R.C.C.) of the country. Prior to the establishment of Regional Cancer Centre at Bikaner, there were two Regional Cancer Centres in Delhi and One each at Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Thiruvananthapuram, Cuttack, Mumbai, Chennai, Calcutta and Guwahati. The Cancer patients of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan and to some extent Uttar Pradesh are availing treatment facilities, subsequent to the establishment of R.C.C., Bikaner.

This Regional Cancer Centre is dedicated to great national saint and spiritual guru Acharya Shree Tulsi and it is named in his memory as "Acharya Tulsi Regional Cancer Treatment and Research Institute". Acharya Tulsi was the 9th Acharya of "Terapanth" religious sect and was a crusader of "Anuvrut" movement in India and abroad.

This autonomous Institute is attached to Sardar Patel Medical College and Associated Group of Hospitals, Bikaner, Rajasthan, India. This centre is the 1st and only Regional Cancer Centre of Rajasthan, which is registered as an autonomous body. As per the directive of Government of India this Regional Cancer Centre legally came into existence on 13th March, 2000.

Professor D.P. Punia, the Director of Acharya Tulsi Regional Cancer Treatment and Research Institute, is also the Principal of Sardar Patel Medical College and Controller Associated Group of Hospitals, Bikaner. Treatment facilities are provided to cancer patient under his dynamic and able leadership. This Regional Cancer Centre provides research facilities to all research workers. Facilities of medical oncology, Tele Radiotherapy, HDR Brachytherapy treatment are provided. Besides the treatment facilities, special diagnostic investigations such as Gamma Camera Imaging, Ultra Sonography and X-Ray are all available under one roof to cancer patients.

The fee structure for various diagnostic investigations and treatment has been positioned at rock bottom level. There is absolutely no waiting period for starting the treatment. Consequently steep rise has been observed in the number of patients at this centre.

Teaching and Research Activities:-

1. Many workshops for early detection of Cancer have been held in the Institute.The objective of these workshops was to train the doctors and technical staff posted in remote and rural areas for early detection of cancer. The workshops were jointly organised by World Health Organization, Government of India and this Institute.

2. Early cancer detection camps were held in Rural and Semi-Urban areas of Deshnok, Loonkaransar, Ladnun and Gangashahar.

3. This Institute is conducting a programme of "Mass screening of early detection of cancer in Rural Areas of Bikaner" jointly with World Health Organisation and Government of India. The programme is at the verge of completion.

 Details of patients who attended this Institute for treatment

The spectacular progress of this Institute over the last 4 years is evident from the statistical data as mentioned above, which underlines the importance of Institute in this region. It will be no exaggeration to state that from the point of view of treatment and research on cancer; this Institute is the only premiere institute of Rajasthan, which is best equipped and approved Regional Cancer Centre. Medical oncology has already taken firm roots in this Institute. We are about to start the Surgical Oncology, as this Construction of the building of "Dedicated Surgical Oncology" wing is almost complete. So far our attempt has been to provide treatment to all the cancer patients, whose number is rising steeply at this centre. As of now, our thrust is to provide highest quality of treatment by all standards. In this direction we have already taken the first step by establishing HDR branch therapy.

In order to achieve greater precision in the treatment, Gamma Camera and 3-D Treatment Planning System have been established. The next logical attempt towards greater precision in Radiation therapy is to have CT Simulator. 

Recently a new Linear Accelerator Machine has been purchased and set up in the Acharya Tulsi Regional Cancer Treatment & Research Institute. The stage is all set to start it in the benefit of patients. Hats off to the continuous efforts and unsurpassed leadership of our Principal Sir, Dr. D. P. Punia.