Hyderabad hospital leverages AI for early cancer detection

Continental Hospitals in Hyderabad integrates AI for early cancer detection, saving lives and reducing treatment costs in India.

Hyderabad’s Continental Hospitals has started to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into cancer detection, aiming for early diagnosis and saving lives. The initiative, developed in collaboration with global institutions such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Mayo Clinic and research centres in the Netherlands, focuses on detecting breast, lung and pancreatic cancers at early stages.

The hospital has already screened over 1,500 patients using AI-powered mammography and chest nodule detection in recent months, said Guru N. Reddy, founder and chairman of Continental Hospitals.

“Early-stage cancer treatment in India costs around ₹5 lakh, but in advanced stages, expenses can exceed ₹25 lakh. Even though India’s healthcare costs are lower than in countries like the United States, this remains a heavy burden for families,” Dr.Reddy said.

The hospital employs two FDA-approved AI algorithms. Ruju Doshi, senior consultant Radiologist, explained their functionality: “The first algorithm, developed in the Netherlands, detects breast cancer, while the second, from MIT, predicts a woman’s risk of developing it within five years. When a mammogram is performed, the AI instantly classifies the risk level — low, intermediate or elevated — allowing immediate follow-up imaging if needed. This process eliminates multiple visits and accelerates diagnosis,” Dr.Doshi said.

“A single CT scan generates hundreds of images, overwhelming radiologists. AI streamlines this by handling routine evaluations, enhancing image clarity with 3D rendering and suggesting potential diagnoses” said Suhasini Devi P., senior consultant in Radiology.