The Cancer Institute WIA, located in Adyar, is a renowned charitable institution dedicated to cancer care, research, and support services. Established in 1954, it has been a pioneer in providing comprehensive cancer treatment for over 70 decades. Cancer Institute (WIA) was founded by Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy and nurtured by Dr. S. Krishnamurthi and
Dr. V. Shanta. Since its inception in 1954, the institute has witnessed a steady growth; from a cottage hospital of 12 beds to a comprehensive cancer center with over 675 patient care beds, a research division, a college of oncological sciences with teaching programs in medical & para-medical fields, a preventive oncology division actively involved in cancer screening programs across the State & palliative care services. Our Institute treats about 20 – 25% of patients totally free and another 75% subsidized by governmental & non-governmental welfare organizations. This pioneering institution stands as an epitome in cancer care, a singular entity within the non-government sector.

The prestigious Tamil Nadu Cancer Registry Project patents across all taluks & Districts covering a population of 78 million, the largest in the world with an aim of generating reliable statistics on cancer incidence, prevalence and patterns. The Institute is accredited by National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare providers-NABH, under the Quality Council of India.

Our founders worked in a mission mode towards caring for cancer patients, revolutionizing cancer treatment, making it accessible & affordable to all, especially for the poor and the under privileged. We continue to meticulously follow the ethos enunciated over several decades by our founders & remain tall as a charitable institution with motto of ‘Service above Self’.

Besides the medical facilities in the 2 campuses in Adyar- Chennai, the other services of Cancer Institute includes one free hospice named Mahaveer Ashray at Sriperumbudur in Kanchipuram district and outreach cancer prevention/screening operations in 9 districts.

Annually, about 15,000 new patients and 160,000 follow up patients are managed at the Institute.