Best Doctors in India for Throat Cancer treatment

Profile Highlights:

  • Dr. Vedant Kabra is a reputed Surgical Oncologist with specializations in the surgical treatment of breast, head and neck, thoracic, urological, and GI cancers.
  • He has more than 20 years of experience in the field and has performed more than 12,000 cancer surgeries related to breast, GI, head, and neck, and Thoracic and GI cancers.

Profile Highlights:

  • Dr. Surender Kumar Dabas is a well-known surgical oncologist with experience in the treatment of cancers affecting the head, neck, and thorax regions.
  • He has over 10 years of experience in the field and has performed more than 8000 head, neck, and thoracic cancer surgeries.
  • He also performs Robotic surgery and computer-assisted thoracoscopic surgeries along with surgery for skull base, oral cavity, esophagus, lungs, and thyroid cancers.

Profile Highlights:

  • Dr. Sameer Kaul is a surgical oncologist at Apollo Cancer Institute of Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi
  • He is the head of an independent Surgical Oncology Unit that comprises senior and junior consultants along with oncology nurses and other staff.
  • Dr. Kaul performs all kinds of cancer surgeries related to the head and neck, breast, thoracic region, GI, genitourinary, soft tissues, and bones.
  • He has 26+ years of experience in Surgical Oncology and has received his training from leading cancer centers of the world.
  • Prior to joining Apollo, Dr. Sameer Kaul served in various other hospitals in India taking up different cancer cases and providing successful treatment.
  • Dr. Sameer Kaul has extensive experience in Robotic surgeries and performs several of his procedures through Robotic techniques.
  • He constantly works towards providing the best cancer care to the underprivileged section of society and therefore founded BCPBF – The Cancer Foundation, an NGO that works towards spreading cancer awareness.
  • Dr. Kaul has been responsible for bringing various new and advanced techniques for cancer treatment to the country.
  • He popularized Radio Frequency Ablation, Reconstruction for CA breast, and Post insertion in India

Profile Highlights:

  • Dr. Harit Chaturvedi is considered among the best surgical oncologists in India. He has over 3 decades of experience in Surgical Oncology and provides services for the surgical treatment of various types of cancers affecting the breast, head and neck, oral, abdomen, and GI regions.
  • He performs surgeries for cancer patients for the removal of both breasts and lymph nodes, removal of part or entire thyroid gland, breast-conserving surgery, surgery for removal of part or entire small intestine, surgery for prostate cancer, etc.

Profile Highlights:

  • Dr. Deepak Sarin is a well-known Head and Neck Onco surgeon with a specialization in oral and throat cancers.
  • His interest lies in minimally invasive surgeries for head and neck cancer and is also an expert in Robotic and Laser surgery.
  • He holds the credit for establishing the Head and Neck surgery department in Sir Ganga Ram & Artemis Hospital and also started the Head and Neck Surgery unit in Medanta.

Profile Highlights:

  • Dr. Sanjay Sachdeva is one of the most prominent ENT/ Otorhinolaryngologists in India with 30+ years of experience as a medical professional.
  • He is currently working as the Senior Director in Max Super Specialty Hospital, New Delhi.
  • Dr. Sanjay Sachdeva has received multiple awards and accolades for his incredible achievements in the field of Otorhinolaryngology.

Profile Highlights:

  • One of the finest oncologists in India, Dr. Ruqaya Ahmad Mir has been practicing surgical oncology for the past 20 years and is currently functioning as a Senior Consultant, Oncology at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi.
  • Dr. Ruqaya Mir is  known for her outstanding performance in some of the advanced surgical techniques which include Uterus and Ovary and Limb Conservation surgery and Cytoreductive surgery and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal chemotherapy for advanced colorectal and recurrent ovarian malignancies.
  • She is also a well trained Robotic Surgeon practicing implementation of minimal invasion in surgical oncology.

Profile Highlights:

  • Dr. Kumud Kumar Handa is a highly acclaimed ENT and Head and Neck Surgeon in India with specializations in Head and Neck cancer surgery.
  • Dr. K K Handa’s expertise in the field of ENT is prominent with the 27 years of experience that he has in the field.
  • His area of interest includes voice surgery, laser surgery, endoscopic sinus surgery, cochlear implant surgery, and head and neck surgery. He has helped in the treatment of a number of head and neck cancer patients with different types of cancer surgeries.

Profile Highlights:

  • Dr. Kalpana Nagpal is an ENT/Otorhinolaryngologist in India with extensive expertise. She has nearly three decades of experience in performing Microscopic and Endoscopic Surgeries for sinus infections, sebaceous cysts, epistaxis, tonsillitis, and otoplasty.
  • Dr. Nagpal is a senior consultant for ENT at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital. She treats patients with congenital ear problems, orbital and optic nerve decompression, and tonsillectomy in both children and adults. Her area of expertise is Head & Neck Surgery.
  • Dr. Nagpal also serves as the President of the Women Association of Otolaryngologists and is active in academics.

Best Hospitals in India for Throat Cancer treatment

Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi

Hospital Highlights:

  • Indraprastha Apollo Hospital is a 700-bedded multispecialty hospital in the heart of the capital of India. It is a part of Apollo Hospital group, one of India’s most reputed healthcare chains. Indraprastha Apollo Hospital has been accredited by Joint Commission International, making it the first internationally accredited hospital in the country in 2005.
  • There are 52 specialties in the hospital with one of the best cardiology centers in the country. The hospital is also equipped with State of the art infrastructure facilities with the largest Sleep Lab in Asia and the largest number of ICU bed facilities in India.
  • The hospital also has one of the largest dialysis units in India along with a dedicated Bone Marrow Transplant unit.
  • The latest and highly advanced technologies that are installed in the hospital include Da Vinci Robotic Surgery System, PET-MR, PET-CT, Cobalt-based HDR Brachytherapy, Brain Lab Navigation System, Tilting MRI, Portable CT scanner, 3 Tesla MRI, 128 Slice CT scanner, DSA Lab, Endosonography, Hyperbaric Chamber and Fibro scan.

Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram

Hospital Highlights:

  • Fortis Memorial Research Institute is a multi-super-specialty, quaternary care hospital with 1000 beds. The hospital comprises reputed clinicians, and international faculty and is also equipped with cutting-edge technology. The hospital is a part of Fortis Healthcare Limited, a reputed chain of private hospitals in India.
  • It is a NABH-accredited hospital that is spread across 11 acres of land and has a capacity of 1000 beds. The hospital has 55 specialties and is one of the premier health care centers in the Asia Pacific region popularly known as “the Mecca of Healthcare”.
  • The hospital has 260 diagnostic centers and is also equipped with the latest and advanced techniques that include 3 Telsa which is the world’s first Digital MRI technology. The hospital also has world-class Radiation Therapy techniques which have been developed by leading technology experts from Elekta and Brain Lab.

Apollo Hospital, Chennai

Hospital Highlights:

  • Apollo Hospitals, Chennai, is one of the best hospitals for heart care in India. Over the years, Apollo has expanded all over India, as a healthcare chain.
  • India’s first ‘Only Pancreas’ transplant was performed in Apollo Hospital. The hospital is known for successfully performing Asia’s first en-bloc combined heart and liver transplant, and over the years, it has attained a remarkable achievement in the global healthcare space. Around 3-4 organ transplants are performed in the hospital per day.
  • Equipped with over 500 beds, this hospital in Chennai was established in 1983 and since then has been among the most preferred hospital for patients from all over the world.
  • The hospital holds accreditation of the NABH and JCI and is the first hospital in India to be ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certified. It is also the first South Indian Hospital to receive subsequent reaccreditation from the JCI USA 4 times.

Medanta-The Medicity, Gurgaon

Hospital Highlights:

  • One of India’s best and largest multi-specialty hospitals, Medanta was built with the aim to bring India to the highest standards of medical care. The hospital has been providing the best medical services to its patients, since its inception, with care, commitment, and compassion.
  • Equipped with 1250 beds, the hospital was founded by Dr. Naresh Trehan in the year 2009 with an aim to provide the best medical care at affordable costs. The hospital is spread across 43 acres and includes 45 operation theatres and 350 beds dedicated solely to ICU. The hospital includes over 800 doctors, and more than 22 specialty departments and has a dedicated floor for individual specialty in order to offer the best services under one roof.
  • The hospital is considered one of the premier institutes in India for Cardiac Care and includes staffs and members of high caliber. The hospital has 6 distinct centers of excellence.

Max Super Specialty Hospital, New Delhi

Hospital Highlights:

  • One of the well-regarded providers in India committed to the highest standards of clinical excellence and patient care, Max Super Specialty Hospital is a part of Max Healthcare, which is the second-largest healthcare chain in India. Regarded as one of the most well-regarded healthcare providers in the country, Max Super Specialty Hospital is committed to the highest standards of clinical excellence as well as patient care. The hospital is also equipped with the latest technology as well as cutting-edge research. The hospital is known to deliver and ensure the highest level of patient care.
  • The hospital has more than 500 beds and offers treatment for over 35 specialties. The hospital also holds the credit of having installed the first Brain Suite in Asia. This is a highly advanced Neurosurgical machine that allows MRI to be taken while surgery is ongoing.
  • Other advanced and latest technologies are also installed in the hospital such as the 1.5 Tesla MRI machine, 64 Slice CT Angiography, 4D ECHO, LINAC, and 3.5T MRI machine.

Artemis Hospital, Gurugram

Hospital Highlights:

  • One of the most well-known hospitals in the Delhi NCR, Artemis Hospital is the first hospital in Gurugram to get accredited by the Joint Commission International.
  • With more than 40 specialties, the hospital has been designed to be one of the most technically advanced hospitals in the country, with the best medical and surgical health care. The hospital has eleven special and dedicated centers, for Heart, Cancer, Neurosciences, etc.
  • The latest technologies in the hospital include Endovascular Hybrid Operating Suite and Flat panel Cath Labs for the cardiovascular department, 3 Tesla MRI, 16 slice PET CT, 64 Slice Cardiac CT Scan, HDR Brachytherapy, and highly advanced Image Guided Radiation Therapy techniques (LINAC) are installed in the hospital.
  • The hospital has won several awards as well, since its inception.

BLK Max Super Specialty Hospital, New Delhi

Hospital Highlights:

  • Equipped with 650 beds, BLK Superspecialty Hospital is the largest stand-alone private sector hospital in Delhi.
  • With over 1500 healthcare providers and 150 globally renowned super specialists, the hospital is one of Asia’s largest Bone Marrow Transplant Centres. The hospital is known for having some of the best cancer doctors in the country.
  • The hospital is NABH and NABL accredited and was inaugurated by the first Prime Minister of India. Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru.

Gleneagles Global Hospitals, Chennai

Hospital Highlights:

  • Established in 1999, Gleneagles Global Hospital, Chennai, is one of the top healthcare facilities in Southern India. It is part of the Gleneagles Hospital Chain, which is the fourth largest healthcare chain in the country. The hospital specializes in multi-organ transplants of kidneys, liver, lungs, heart, etc.
  • The hospital has an excellent infrastructure and state-of-the-art lab and equipment set-up. The hospital boasts cutting-edge technologies, a highly skilled team of doctors and surgeons, and trained support staff. Located in Perumbakam, Chennai, it is one of India’s premier health care destinations. The hospital has performed some of the most complex surgical and clinical procedures in India including multi-organ transplantations.
  • The hospital’s lung transplantation program is one of the best in the country. The hospital is known for having performed India’s first single lung transplant and first minimal invasive lung transplant. It is also the only Indian hospital to be associated with King’s College Hospital, London, United Kingdom for liver transplantations.

Fortis Hospital, Mulund, Mumbai

Hospital Highlights:

  • Fortis Hospital in Mulund is a 315-bed multi-speciality tertiary care hospital with five JCI accreditations that offers a wide variety of diagnostic and therapeutic services. The Fortis Hospital in Mulund delivers patient-centred treatment with cutting-edge technology, highly skilled and experienced surgeons, and paramedical staff.
  • This institution houses Maharashtra’s largest multi-organ transplant centre. It is also the first heart transplant centre in western India to conduct 100 or more consecutive heart transplants in under four years. It is the only hospital in the city to have multi-organ transplants and has handled the youngest patient for angioplasty. Fortis Hospital Mulund now boasts the first advanced surgical robot in central Mumbai.
  • Cardiology and heart surgery, urology, nephrology, neurosciences, orthopaedics, digestive care, emergency and critical care, and maternity care are among the services provided by the hospital.

Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai

Hospital Highlights:

  • Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Named after the wife of Indian industrialist Dhirubhai Ambani, the founder of Reliance Industries, this is one of the top hospitals in Mumbai. This 750-bed multi-specialty hospital became operational in 2009. Known as one of India’s most advanced tertiary care facilities, the hospital is designed to raise India’s global standing as a healthcare hub, with an emphasis on excellence in clinical services.
  • Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital uses Protocol and Care Pathway based treatment models to ensure the best outcomes for patients.
  • The hospital represents a confluence of top-notch talent, cutting-edge technology, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and, most importantly commitment.
  • The hospital also holds the accreditation of the NABH, NABL, CAP, and JCI.
  • The hospital has been recognized as the No. 1 Multispecialty Hospital in Mumbai and the West Zone for the fifth year in a row in 2020 by The Week.

Throat Cancer

Throat cancer is the presence of cancerous tumors that develop in the throat (pharynx), tonsils or the voice box (larynx). Beginning behind the nose, throat is a muscular tube that ends in your neck. This type of cancer usually begins in the flat cells lining the inside of the throat. The voice box is present below the throat and is at an equal risk of throat cancer. Cartilage makes up the voice box. Vocal cords that vibrate making sound whenever you talk are present in the voice box. Epiglottis acts as a lid for the windpipe. Throat cancer can also affect a part of the epiglottis.

Types of Throat Cancer

Cancer that develops in the voice box or throat is throat cancer. The voice box, present below the throat is very close to it. Most throat cancers occur involving the same type of cells.

  • Nasopharyngeal cancer –It begins in the nasopharynx. The nasopharynx is that part of your throat present immediately behind the nose.
  • Oropharyngeal cancer – It begins in the oropharynx. The oropharynx is the part of your throat present behind the mouth and including the tonsils.
  • Laryngopharyngeal or hypopharyngeal cancer – It begins in the hypopharynx or laryngopharynx. This is the lower part of your throat above the windpipe and the esophagus.
  • Glottic cancer – It begins in the vocal cords.
  • Supraglottic cancer – This cancer begins in the upper part of the larynx including cancer that affects epiglottis. Epiglottis is a piece of cartilage that prevents the food from entering the windpipe.
  • Subglottic cancer – It begins in the lower part of the voice box below the vocal cords.

Causes of Throat Cancer

When the cells in your throat develop genetic mutations, throat cancer develops. These genetic mutations cause uncontrollable growth of the cells that continue to live till the time normal cells would die. These cells form a tumor in the throat. Doctors are still trying to find out the cause behind these genetic mutations that cause throat cancer. However, doctors had a successful hand in figuring out the factors that pose an increased risk.

Symptoms of Throat Cancer

The various signs and symptoms of this type of cancer may be:

  • Severe cough
  • Difficulty in swallowing the food
  • A never healing lump or sore present in the throat
  • Unexpected weight loss
  • Pain in the ears
  • Changes in the voice like the hoarseness of the voice or unable to speak clearly
  • A sore throat

Diagnosis of Throat Cancer

Your doctor may recommend various ways to diagnose the presence of throat cancer in your body.

Endoscopy

Your doctor may use an endoscope (a lighted scope) to have a close look at your throat while performing the procedure called endoscopy. There is a tiny camera present at the end of the endoscope. The camera transmits the images to a video screen. Your doctor will watch this screen to check for the signs of abnormalities in your throat.

Use of laryngoscope

There is another type of scope called laryngoscope that your doctor will insert in your voice box. The laryngoscope makes use of a magnifying lens to help the doctor for examining your vocal cords. The procedure is laryngoscopy.

Removal of the tissue sample

If your doctor finds some abnormalities during the procedure of laryngoscopy or endoscopy, he or she will pass surgical instruments through the scope for the collection of a tissue sample. This tissue sample is for the purpose of biopsy. Your doctor will send the sample to the laboratory for the testing. Your doctor might also ask for a sample of a swollen lymph node. He or she may use a technique called fine needle aspirate to aspirate the fluid from your swollen lymph nodes for the testing of the sample.

Imaging tests

Imaging tests include the X-rays, computed tomography (CT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET). These imaging tests may help your doctor in determining the extent of cancer in your body and whether it is beyond the surface of the voice box or your throat. Your doctor can confirm the diagnosis with the help of these imaging tests after carrying out a biopsy of the tissue.

Treatment options for Throat Cancer

Your treatment options may depend on various factors like the location, the staging of throat cancer in your body, your overall health, the types of cells involved in cancer and your personal preferences for the treatment. You must discuss in detail about the benefits as well as the possible health risks of each of the treatment options given by your doctor. This way you can easily determine the most appropriate treatment for yourself with the help of your doctor.

Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy requires the usage of high energy beams from sources like X-rays and the protons to deliver radiation to the cancerous cells in your throat that result in the death of these cells. It can either come out from a large machine outside your body called external beam radiation or cone out from the small radioactive seeds and wires that the doctor will place inside your body near to the location of cancer. The procedure is brachytherapy.

For early throat cancers, radiation therapy is the only possible and necessary treatment. For more advanced throat cancers, radiation therapy combined with surgery or chemotherapy gives desirable results. In most advanced throat cancers, this therapy reduces the signs & symptoms to make you feel more comfortable.

Surgery

The location and stage of cancer largely determine the types of surgical procedures that you might consider for treating the throat cancer in your body.

Early-stage throat cancer surgery

When throat cancer remains confined to the surface of your throat or the vocal cords, the doctor might treat it surgically with the help of endoscopy. Your doctor will insert a hollow endoscope in your voice box or throat followed by the passing of special surgical tools or laser through this scope. Your doctor can cut off, scrape off or even vaporize superficial cancers (in case of laser) with the help of these tools.

Laryngectomy

Your doctor may remove a part of your voice box affected with cancer for smaller tumors. He or she will try to leave as much voice box as possible. The motive behind this is to preserve your ability to breathe and speak in a normal manner. For extensive & large tumors, there might be a need to remove the entire voice box.

Pharyngectomy

Your doctor may remove only smaller parts of your throat during the surgery of the smaller throat cancers. However, reconstruction of the removed parts is possible to allow you to swallow the food normally.

Neck dissection

Your doctor will recommend you to undergo surgery for the removal of some or all of the lymph nodes. This is because the cancer is present deep within your neck.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy drip Image
It involves the usage of drugs to kill cancer cells. Doctors usually use chemotherapy with radiation therapy to treat throat cancers.

Targeted drug therapy

The targeted drugs take advantage of specific defects in the cancer cells that fuel cell growth to treat throat cancer. Your doctor might use them alone or in combination with radiation therapy or chemotherapy.

Rehabilitation

Often, treatment of throat cancers cause complications that require you to work on your ability to talk and swallow food.

Palliative or supportive care

It is specialized medical care that emphasizes on providing you relief from the pain and the symptoms of serious illness. The specialists work with you and your family to provide some extra support that compliments your ongoing treatment.

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