Yashoda Hospital, Hitech City, in collaboration with Qure.ai and AstraZeneca, has launched an AI-enabled Lung Nodule Clinic, marking a significant step forward in the early detection and management of lung cancer and other pulmonary diseases in India.
Addressing a Critical Healthcare Gap in India
Lung cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in India. A major challenge is that most patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage, as early lung cancer often presents without symptoms and can be easily missed on routine imaging. The absence of a national lung cancer screening program for high-risk individuals further underscores the need for structured and proactive imaging pathways.
The Role of AI in Lung Nodule Detection
Pulmonary nodules are often subtle and can vary in size, density, and location, making consistent identification difficult during routine chest X-rays. To address this challenge, the Lung Nodule Clinic integrates Qure.ai’s advanced AI solutions directly into chest X-ray workflows.
The AI system:
- Flags suspicious lung nodules
- Performs risk assessment
- Enables structured tracking and follow-up
These nodules can be early indicators of lung cancer or other serious conditions such as tuberculosis, sarcoidosis, or lymphoma. By prioritising higher-risk cases, the AI-supported pathway helps clinicians ensure timely intervention and consistent follow-up.
A Structured, Scalable Clinical Pathway
“This program shows how AI can be integrated into clinical workflows to support earlier identification and structured management of lung disease,” said Dr. V. Nagarjuna Maturu, Head of Department, Pulmonology, Yashoda Hospital, Hitech City.
“Embedding AI into routine workflows has helped Yashoda Hospital create a scalable model for proactive lung health.”
A nurse navigator model further strengthens the pathway by guiding patients from AI detection to counselling, clinical review, and next steps. According to Dr. Vipul Garg, Lead Consultant, Yashoda Hospitals Nodule Clinic, standardised workflows reduce delays and ensure clear communication and documentation across teams.
Impact and Early Outcomes
Since its deployment:
- 17,000+ chest X-rays have been analysed using AI
- 960+ lung nodules have been identified
- 136 cases were classified as high risk
- 77 patients were fast-tracked for CT scans and pulmonology review
The confirmed diagnoses include lung cancers as well as other significant lung diseases, highlighting the clinic’s broader value beyond cancer detection alone.
AI as a Catalyst for Proactive Lung Health
“AI is becoming an important part of how health systems strengthen early diagnosis and reduce the burden of late-stage lung disease,” said Sagar Sen, Vice President, Life Sciences, Qure.ai.
“By integrating intelligence into routine imaging, hospitals can turn everyday X-rays into an opportunity for earlier detection and more coordinated care.”
Moving Toward Data-Driven Healthcare
The AI-led Lung Nodule Clinic at Yashoda Hospital represents a major move toward structured, data-driven lung health management. It demonstrates how modern diagnostic tools, when combined with clinical expertise and coordinated workflows, can significantly improve early detection and patient outcomes—especially in high-volume hospital settings.
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