Head and Neck Cancer Surgery in India
Head and neck cancer surgery includes procedures for the mouth (oral cavity), tongue, gums, cheek, jaw, throat (oropharynx), larynx (voice box), nose and sinuses, and salivary glands. Depending on tumor size and location, your team may remove the tumor with a margin of healthy tissue, check/remove neck lymph nodes, and reconstruct tissues to restore speech, swallowing, and appearance. Many Indian centers pair surgical expertise with rehabilitation so function and quality of life stay front and center.
Discover what this treats so that you can choose confidently
If surgery is part of your plan, you likely want two things at once: clear information and a path that feels doable. Head and neck cancer surgery may remove the tumor with a healthy margin, check or remove lymph nodes, and reconstruct tissues to restore speech, swallowing, and appearance.
Patient moment M, 54, had early tongue cancer. She underwent a hemiglossectomy (partial tongue removal) with sentinel node–guided neck surgery and a small flap reconstruction. She spoke clearly within days, started soft foods in a week, and returned home with a therapy plan. “The plan was explained step by step, which made my fear smaller than my hope.”
How the procedure works in simple steps
Choosing surgery is like planning a complex trip—best route (tumor removal approach), right guide (surgical team), and clear itinerary (reconstruction, nodes, rehab) to reach your destination safely.
- Before surgery — Imaging and biopsy confirm site and stage; a multidisciplinary tumor board agrees on the plan; you meet speech/swallow therapists early; pre-anesthesia assessment reviews medicines, heart/lungs, and nutrition.
- During surgery — General anesthesia keeps you comfortable; the tumor is removed with a margin; lymph nodes may be sampled/removed; reconstruction ranges from local rearrangement to microvascular free flaps; some laryngeal cases need a temporary tracheostomy.
- After surgery — Monitored recovery with proactive pain/nausea control; tubes/drains removed as healing progresses; early swallow and speech therapy (often within 24–48h when safe); final pathology guides radiotherapy/chemotherapy if needed.
Who should consider this and when to wait
Surgery is often recommended for operable tumors where removal offers the best chance of local control—either as main treatment or combined with radiation/chemoradiation.
You might wait or change sequence if organ preservation with initial chemoradiation is preferred (certain throat/larynx cancers) or if medical conditions need optimization first. Ask: which option gives the highest chance of cure while preserving speech/swallowing? What support will I have at home for nutrition, wound care, and therapy in the first four weeks?
Benefits and risks that you should understand
Potential benefits
- Removal of visible cancer with clear margin assessment
- Accurate staging by checking neck lymph nodes
- Reconstruction aimed at preserving/restoring speech and swallowing
- A tailored plan pairing surgery with radiation/medicines when needed
Possible risks
- Bleeding, infection, wound issues including fistula
- Swallowing or speech changes requiring therapy
- Lymphedema (neck/face swelling)
- Numbness, shoulder weakness after certain neck dissections
- Airway swelling sometimes requiring temporary tracheostomy
No operation can promise a cure, but experienced teams reduce risk and start rehabilitation early so function returns steadily.
Recovery timeline so that planning feels easier
- Days 1–3: Monitored recovery; pain controlled; gentle sitting and standing.
- Days 3–7: Transition from tube feeds to liquids/soft foods if safe; drain removal.
- Weeks 2–3: Stitch/staple removal; daily speech & swallow therapy builds confidence.
- Weeks 4–6: Return to desk work for many oral cavity/salivary procedures; longer for major reconstructions or laryngectomy.
- Ongoing: Watch for fever, increasing swelling, foul drainage, sudden voice/breathing changes—seek help promptly.
Daily questions: what small step builds function today (a new word list, a swallow exercise, a short walk)? Which sign means call the team now (fever, wound leakage, breathing difficulty)?
Cost overview without surprises
Pricing depends on hospital category, surgeon seniority, reconstruction complexity, operating time, room class, and stay length. Nutrition support, tracheostomy care, and rehab can influence totals. Illustrative USD ranges for self-pay international patients:
| Scenario | Illustrative cost range (USD) | Typical hospital stay |
|---|---|---|
| Hemiglossectomy with selective neck dissection | 5500 – 8500 | 4 – 6 days |
| Total laryngectomy with neck dissection | 6000 – 9000 | 7 – 10 days |
| Parotidectomy for salivary gland tumor | 4000 – 6500 | 3 – 5 days |
| Composite resection with microvascular free flap | 9500 – 16000 | 8 – 12 days |
Simple math example
- Base package • Hemiglossectomy: $6,200
- Room upgrade: $400
- Microvascular free flap add-on: $3,500
- Two extra inpatient days ($250 each): $500
- Estimated total: $10,600
Ask for a personalized quote with inclusions (anesthesia, standard tests, medicines, surgeon & OR fees, routine consumables) and exclusions (take-home meds, unexpected ICU, extra nights, special implants).
How to compare hospitals and specialists with confidence
Comparing centers is like comparing airlines for a long flight—you want expert pilots (surgeons), well-maintained aircraft (accredited ORs), and a clear ticket price with no surprises.
- Surgeon’s head & neck cancer volume and outcomes
- Access to microvascular reconstruction and dedicated rehabilitation
- Tumor board decision-making and on-site pathology
- Nutrition, speech, and lymphedema services pre- and post-op
- Transparent packages and clear escalation policies
Checklist for international patients
- Passport, medical visa (if required), and travel insurance
- Biopsy slides/blocks, imaging on USB, prior treatment records
- Medication list with doses and allergies
- Front-opening clothing and a lightweight scarf (comfort if tracheostomy present)
- A caregiver for the first two weeks and a plan for soft/liquid nutrition
Questions people often ask before this treatment
Will I be able to speak and swallow after surgery?
For many procedures, yes—with therapy. Larger resections or laryngeal surgery may change voice/swallowing; early rehab restores function over time. Your team will explain timelines.
Will I need a tracheostomy?
Sometimes a temporary airway best protects breathing while swelling settles. It’s removed when safe.
Is reconstruction always necessary?
Small tumors may close primarily; larger defects often benefit from local or microvascular flaps to restore function and appearance.
When can I fly home?
Many travelers go home 10–14 days after surgery once wounds are stable and therapy plans are set. Complex reconstructions may need longer.
Will I need radiation or chemotherapy after?
Depends on margins, lymph nodes, and risk features in pathology. Your tumor board will guide next steps.
Important care note so that every reader stays safe
Follow wound, mouth, and tracheostomy care instructions exactly. Keep mouth rinses and nutrition plans on schedule. Call urgently for fever, sudden swelling, breathing difficulty, or saliva leakage from the neck wound. Feelings of fear or low mood are common—ask for counseling; it’s a strength, not a weakness.
Video testimonials from real patients
You can watch short success stories from international patients who underwent head & neck cancer surgery in India—showing speech/swallow progress at home and how follow-up works with the care team.
Glossary in plain language
- Margin: Edge of removed tissue; clear margins mean no cancer at the edge.
- Neck dissection: Removal of selected lymph nodes to check for spread.
- Microvascular free flap: Tissue moved from another body part with blood vessels reconnected under a microscope.
- Tracheostomy: Small opening in the neck to help breathing while swelling settles.
- Fistula: Abnormal connection (e.g., throat to skin) that may need treatment.
- Rehabilitation: Structured therapy to improve speech, swallowing, and shoulder function.
Medically reviewed by
Dr Aryan Malhotra
MBBS, David Tvildiani Medical University, Georgia
Radiation Oncology Resident, Burdwan Medical College and Hospital
Registration number: 95565
Dr Malhotra reviews pages so statements remain accurate, balanced, and patient-friendly, with clear definitions and safety-first guidance.
Disclaimer
This page is for education only. Decisions must be made with a licensed specialist who has examined you and reviewed your scans, biopsy, and overall health.
References
Watch patient videos
https://www.youtube.com/@TreatmentCost