HCG Manavata Cancer Centre in Nashik hosted the ASCO Direct GI Cancers Symposium 2026, marking India’s entry into a small group of countries hosting the global oncology academic programme, organisers said.
With this, India has become the sixth country worldwide to host the ASCO Direct series aimed at delivering global oncology education to clinicians and strengthening standards of care in gastrointestinal cancers.
The two-day scientific programme brought together more than 150 delegates and over 40 speakers, including experts in surgical, medical and radiation oncology. The event focused on practice-oriented learning and discussions on advancements in gastrointestinal (GI) cancer treatment and 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,” said Raj Nagarkar, Chief of Surgical Oncology and Robotic Services and Managing Director at KIMS Manavata Hospitals and Six Sigma Hospitals.
He added that the initiative aimed to translate global scientific insights into practical and patient-centric outcomes for cancer care in India.
A key feature of the symposium was simulation-based robotic training and hands-on learning sessions using advanced robotic surgical systems from Intuitive Surgical, CMR Surgical and Edge Medical Robotics. The training sessions enabled surgeons to gain practical exposure to emerging robotic technologies used in minimally invasive cancer surgeries.
The academic programme included sessions by oncology experts such as Vijaya Kumar, Shyam Mohan, Gopinath KS, Shishir Shetty, Govind Babu, Sachin Trivedi, Shailesh V. Shrikhande, Jagannath Dixith and Jagdish Kothari.
According to organisers, integrating robotic training within an academic forum such as the ASCO Direct programme could accelerate adoption of minimally invasive techniques among surgeons, potentially improving patient outcomes through shorter hospital stays, reduced pain and faster recovery.
The American Society of Clinical Oncology organises the ASCO Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium as a global scientific forum focused on cancers of the gastrointestinal tract, bringing together clinicians, researchers and healthcare professionals to discuss emerging evidence and treatment strategies.