Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology - named after the man with a vision for the down trodden and victims of cancer, Mr.Rafi Ahmed Kidwai, the then Governor of Bombay, who donated 20 acres of land situated at Hosur Road, now called as Dr.M.H.Marigowda Road, Bangalore and Rs.1.00 lakh for the Radiotherapy machine.

This Institute was established on 26th June 1973 with bed strength of 50. The Institute became Autonomous on 8, January 1980. The Government of India has accorded the status of a Regional Cancer Centre on 1, November 1980 to this Institute, thus became one of the 11 Regional Cancer Centres in the country. The Indian Council of Medical Research has recognised this referral Institution as a research association. From the year 1980 to 2001, it has changed the face of the non-descript cancer hospital to a well known major and a model comprehensive regional centre for cancer research and treatment offering sophisticated diagnostic and treatment services to ever increasing numbers of cancer afflicted patients from Karnataka and adjoining areas of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Maharashtra. It is next to Tata Memorial Centre in terms of organisation, accommodation, equipment, staff and patient turnover.