Head and Neck (Oral) Cancer Surgery in India

Head and neck cancers include cancers of the mouth (oral cavity), tongue, cheek, gums, jaw, throat and voice box. Oral cancer is especially common in South Asia, Africa and the Middle East, where tobacco chewing, smoking, betel nut and alcohol use are major risk factors. Surgery is the main treatment for most oral cavity cancers, and India has some of the most experienced head and neck surgical oncologists and reconstructive microvascular surgeons in the world. Our package covers tumour removal, neck dissection and, where required, reconstruction with a free flap, while Satyug Healthcare manages your visa, travel, stay and post-treatment coordination.

Cost of oral cancer surgery in India starts from USD 6500 at leading JCI / NABH accredited hospitals. 5-7 days in hospital; total stay in India 2-3 weeks (6-7 weeks if post-operative radiotherapy is given in India).

Final cost depends on the hospital, room category, doctor, implants/medicines used and the patient's medical condition. Share your reports with Satyug Healthcare for a free written estimate.

About the Procedure

• Most head and neck cancers are squamous cell carcinomas arising from the lining of the mouth, throat or larynx. Oral cavity cancers include the tongue, floor of mouth, buccal mucosa (cheek), gums, hard palate and retromolar area.
• Wide local excision removes the tumour with a cuff of healthy tissue around it to ensure clear margins; small defects can be closed directly or with a local flap.
• Neck dissection removes the lymph nodes of the neck, where oral cancer commonly spreads. It may be selective (removing high-risk groups) or modified radical (more extensive) depending on the stage.
• Larger tumours may need a composite resection (commando operation) that removes part of the tongue, floor of mouth and jaw bone (mandibulectomy) together with the neck nodes.
• Defects are rebuilt using microvascular free flaps - tissue transferred from the forearm, thigh or fibula (leg bone) with its own blood vessels - to restore speech, swallowing and facial appearance.
• Many patients require post-operative radiotherapy (IMRT), with or without chemotherapy, depending on tumour size, margins and nodal involvement. Cancers of the throat and larynx may be treated with chemoradiation to preserve organ function.

Purpose of the Procedure

• To remove the cancer completely with clear margins, which is the most important factor for cure in oral cavity cancer.
• To remove cancer that has spread, or is at high risk of spreading, to the neck lymph nodes.
• To provide accurate staging from the removed tissue so that the need for radiotherapy or chemotherapy can be decided.
• To reconstruct the mouth, tongue and jaw so that speech, chewing, swallowing and appearance are preserved as much as possible.
• To relieve pain, bleeding and difficulty eating caused by the tumour.
• To treat residual or recurrent disease after previous radiotherapy where surgery is still possible (salvage surgery).

Diagnosis and Tests Before the Procedure

• Consultation with a head and neck surgical oncologist, with a detailed examination of the mouth, throat and neck.
• Biopsy of the lesion to confirm cancer, or review of existing biopsy blocks and slides by the hospital pathologist.
• MRI or contrast CT of the face and neck to assess tumour depth, bone involvement and lymph nodes.
• PET-CT scan in advanced cases to look for spread to the chest or elsewhere.
• Endoscopy (nasopharyngolaryngoscopy) to examine the throat and voice box and rule out a second cancer.
• Orthopantomogram (OPG) dental X-ray and dental assessment, especially if radiotherapy is likely.
• CT angiography or Doppler of the leg vessels when a fibula free flap is planned.
• Blood tests, ECG, chest X-ray and pre-anaesthesia evaluation, followed by a tumour board discussion.

Step-by-Step Procedure

1. After evaluation and tumour board review, you are admitted a day before surgery for final checks, consent and dental preparation if needed.
2. Surgery is performed under general anaesthesia; a temporary tracheostomy (breathing tube in the neck) is often made in major resections to keep the airway safe.
3. The tumour is removed with adequate margins, and frozen sections may be checked during the operation to confirm the margins are clear.
4. A neck dissection is performed through a neck incision to remove the lymph nodes, protecting important nerves and blood vessels.
5. If part of the jaw is involved, the affected segment is removed and the bone is reconstructed, often with a fibula free flap and plates.
6. The reconstructive team harvests the free flap and connects its vessels to vessels in the neck under a microscope; major operations can take 6-10 hours.
7. You are monitored in the ICU for one to two days, with close checks of the flap's blood supply.
8. Feeding is given through a nasogastric tube for several days while the mouth heals; speech and swallowing therapy starts before discharge.
9. The tracheostomy is removed once swelling settles, and you are discharged after about 5-7 days; the final pathology report decides whether radiotherapy is needed.

Risks and Possible Complications

• Bleeding or a collection of blood (haematoma) in the neck.
• Wound infection or a fistula (leak) between the mouth and neck skin.
• Flap failure in a small proportion of free-flap reconstructions, which may need further surgery.
• Temporary or permanent difficulty with speech, chewing or swallowing, improved with therapy.
• Shoulder weakness or stiffness if the accessory nerve is affected during neck dissection, and numbness of the neck skin.
• Facial or lip weakness from injury to small nerve branches, usually temporary.
• Chest infection, blood clots and general anaesthetic risks.
• Long-term effects of radiotherapy if given, such as dry mouth, taste changes, dental problems and neck stiffness.

Your specialist will explain the risks specific to your condition. Choosing an experienced, high-volume hospital keeps complication rates low.

Recovery and Aftercare

• Most patients start walking within a day or two and are discharged after 5-7 days depending on the extent of surgery.
• A soft or liquid diet is continued for 2-4 weeks, progressing as healing allows; some patients go home with a feeding tube for a short time.
• Speech and swallowing therapy and shoulder exercises are important parts of recovery.
• Stitches are removed at about 10-14 days, and the donor site (arm, thigh or leg) is checked during follow-up.
• Patients are usually fit to fly 2-3 weeks after surgery, once the tracheostomy has been removed and the wounds have healed.
• If post-operative radiotherapy is needed, it ideally starts within 6 weeks of surgery and takes about 6 weeks; it can be given in India or at a qualified centre at home.
• Stopping tobacco, betel nut and alcohol completely and attending regular follow-up every 1-3 months in the first year are essential to reduce recurrence.

Why Choose India for Oral cancer surgery?

• JCI and NABH accredited hospitals with the latest medical technology
• Highly experienced specialists, many trained in the USA, UK and Europe
• Cost 60-80% lower than the USA, UK, Gulf countries and Singapore, with the same international-standard care
• No waiting lists - treatment can usually be scheduled within days of arrival
• Free end-to-end support from Satyug Healthcare: opinions, visa letter, airport pickup, interpreter and accommodation

Step-by-Step Process to Travel to India for Treatment

1. Share your reports - send your latest reports, scans/CD, angiography or echo films and passport copy to Satyug Healthcare on WhatsApp (+91-8860606766 / +91-9910655125) or email.
2. Free medical opinion & cost estimate - within 24-72 hours we share opinions and written cost estimates from 2-3 JCI/NABH-accredited hospitals and specialists.
3. Choose hospital & doctor - compare doctor experience, hospital, room category and total cost; we help you decide with no extra charge.
4. Visa Invitation Letter (VIL) - the hospital issues a VIL for the patient and up to two attendants; we arrange it within 24-48 hours.
5. Apply for Indian e-Medical Visa - apply online for the e-Medical Visa (patient) and e-Medical Attendant Visa (family) using the VIL; most approvals come in 3-5 working days.
6. Book flights & accommodation - we suggest flights and arrange a guest house, service apartment or hotel near the hospital to suit your budget.
7. Free airport pickup - our representative receives you at the airport and takes you to your hotel or directly to the hospital.
8. Hospital admission & treatment - a dedicated coordinator and language interpreter stay with you for registration, tests, doctor consultations, the procedure and billing.
9. Discharge & follow-up - you receive the discharge summary, prescriptions and fitness-to-fly certificate; follow-up checks are done before you fly.
10. Return home & tele-follow-up - we arrange airport drop and stay connected for online follow-up consultations with your doctor in India.

Contact Satyug Healthcare - International Patient Helpdesk: +91-8860606766 | +91-9910655125 (WhatsApp available) for a free medical opinion and cost estimate.