Nashik, March 23: In a landmark achievement for Indian oncology, HCG Manavata Cancer Centre (HCGMCC), Nashik hosted the prestigious ASCO Direct GI Cancers Symposium 2026, marking India’s entry into an elite group of nations hosting the prestigious academic program. India now stands as the sixth country worldwide to host the ASCO Direct series in delivering high impact global oncology education to clinicians. The two-day scientific symposium was curated to deliver high impact, practice oriented global oncology education to Indian clinicians, with a strong focus on advancing the standards of care in gastrointestinal (GI) cancers.

Bringing together over 150 delegates, 40+ distinguished speakers and leading experts across surgical, medical and radiation oncology, the symposium emerged as a dynamic platform for knowledge exchange, collaboration and innovation in GI cancer management.

“Hosting the ASCO Direct GI Cancers Symposium in Nashik is a proud moment not just for our institution, but for India’s oncology ecosystem. It reflects how rapidly India is evolving as a hub for high quality oncology education and advanced clinical practice. Our focus was to ensure that global scientific insights are translated into practical, patient centric outcomes,” says Prof Dr Raj Nagarkar, Chief of Surgical Oncology & Robotic Services and Managing Director - KIMS Manavata Hospitals, HCG Manavata Cancer Centre and Six Sigma, Nashik.

A key highlight of the event was the simulation based robotic training and hands-on learning sessions, featuring advanced robotic surgical systems from Intuitive, CMR Surgical and Edge Robotic Systems. The sessions enabled participating surgeons to gain practical exposure to next generation robotic technologies, reinforcing the growing role of minimally invasive approaches in complex cancer surgeries.

The academic program was led by eminent oncology experts including Dr Raj Nagarkar, Dr Vijaya Kumar, Dr Shyam Mohan, Dr Gopinath KS, Dr Shishir Shetty, Dr Govind Babu, Dr Sachin Trivedi, Dr Shailesh V. Shrikhande, Dr Jagannath Dixith and Dr Jagdish Kothari, whose insights and expertise enriched discussions on the latest advancements in GI cancer treatment and research.

“The integration of hands-on robotic training into a global academic forum like ASCO Direct is unprecedented. By allowing surgeons to train on multiple advanced platforms in a single setting, we are accelerating the adoption of minimally invasive techniques across India. This translates directly to better outcomes including shorter hospital stays, less pain and faster recovery for patients,” concludes Dr Nagarkar.

The ASCO Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium, organized by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO Direct), is a globally recognized scientific forum dedicated exclusively to cancers of the gastrointestinal tract. It brings together leading clinicians, researchers and healthcare professionals from across the world to share knowledge, discuss emerging evidence and advance standards of care.