Head and Neck Cancers

Cancer of the head and neck are the most common cancers in India (30% of all cancers). Gone are the days when a stand-alone surgeon could treat a patient of head and neck cancer. Treatment of head and neck cancer now requires a multi-disciplinary approach with a team comprising of a head and neck cancer surgeon, a reconstructive surgeon, an onco-anaesthetist, a radiation oncologist, a medical oncologist, an onco-pathologist, a speech and swallowing therapist, a physiotherapist, a dental surgeon, an occupational therapist and a medical counsellor.

In the past, the treatment of head and neck cancer was only aimed at cancer-free survival. Issues like cosmesis, speech, swallowing, pain relief etc. were considered secondary. Over the last few years, the goals of such treatments have changed. Now, in addition to improved survival, we also aim to improve the quality of life of our patients with better cosmesis, better functional outcomes like normal speech, swallowing, taste, smell etc. Each member of the multi-disciplinary team works towards the goal of improving the quality of life of head and neck cancer patients. And, a good team can deliver excellent service with the support of advanced infrastructure.

Head & Neck Cancer Surgeon

He is the mainstay in the treatment of head and neck cancer patients. Early stages of these types of cancer require surgery which can be done with lasers. Lasers have an advantage over conventional surgery in that they cause less pain, less fibrosis and therefore less trismus and better cosmesis. Micro-laryngoscopic lasers can avoid the need for open surgery. Intermediate stage laryngeal cancers require conservative partial laryngectomies. Advanced head and neck cancer requires extensive surgeries such as composite resection (called commando operation in the past), total laryngectomy with or without pharyngectomy etc. Kokilaben Hospital provides the entire range of surgeries, from lasers to conservative laryngeal surgeries to extensive surgical resections.

At Kokilaben Hospital we have performed more than 350 surgeries for treating head & neck cancers.

Reconstructive Surgeon

Extensive surgeries for the treatment of head and neck cancers are almost always associated with major cosmetic and functional deformities which require reconstruction by a specially trained plastic surgeon. With an array of pedicled and free flaps specially suited to the requirements of an individual patient, the deformity of this extensive surgery is minimised to a great extent. At Kokilaben Hospital, we consider microvascular reconstruction following cancer surgeries as the standard of care – unless the patient is unfit for such a surgery. Microvascular reconstructions give the best cosmesis and the patient can return to daily activities significantly improving the quality of life. These surgeries also make secondary surgeries unnecessary.

Kokilaben Hospital has a dedicated team of head and neck cancer surgeons and reconstruction surgeons. The goal of this team is to radically eradicate cancer with the best possible cosmetic and functional results.

This team has performed more than 100 composite resections combined with microvascular surgeries and free flaps.

Radiation Oncologist

Many patients of head and neck cancer require radiotherapy, either alone or as an adjuvant treatment after curative surgery. Conventional radiotherapy, though effective, is associated with significant side effects in the form of inflammation in the mouth, loss of salivation, pigmentation, loss of hair and dental problems. Advanced radiotherapy techniques, which combine efficacy with the least amount of treatment related illness, are now available. Kokilaben Hospital is equipped with one of the latest radiotherapy facilities, supported by highly skilled radiation oncologists. The radiation treatment is planned such that precise radiation dose is delivered at the site with least side effects and damage to the surrounding normal tissues.

Medical Oncologist

The last few years have seen the emergence of various effective chemotherapy drugs. These are found to be effective before, during and after surgery/radiotherapy. Targeted therapy has shown the promise of being as effective as chemotherapy with much lower toxicity. Kokilaben Hospital has facilities which can provide chemo/targeted therapy to both in-patients as well as through day care therapy where the patient can go home the same day.

Onco-anaesthetist

The administration of anaesthesia to head and neck cancer patients is always challenging due to the presence of tumours in the upper air-digestive tract, trismus etc. Specially trained anaesthetists to deal with these ‘difficult intubation’ situations, with facilities for fibre-optic intubation is essential to perform these procedures.

Kokilaben Hospital has a dedicated onco-anaesthetist as well as the best possible infrastructure to tackle these difficult procedures.

Onco-pathologist

No Head & Neck Cancer Centre is complete without rehabilitation services. The treatment of head and neck cancers have a significant impact on essential functions like speech, chewing, swallowing etc. Now, even a patient of total laryngectomy (removal of voice box) or total glossectomy (removal of tongue) can speak and swallow normally. Kokilaben Hospital has one of the best rehabilitation departments that provides speech and swallowing therapy, physiotherapy and occupational therapy. A comprehensive speech and swallowing restoration programme begins with pre-operative evaluation and counselling, it continues during the post-operative period and during radiotherapy. It consists of a speech and voice management programme, maneuvers and strategies to improve swallowing and a laryngeal speech restoration programme. In some patients whose voice box (Larynx) muscles go into an hyperactive phase following removal, Dr. Mandar Deshpande injects Botox (botulinum toxin) to restore speech.

All these facilities are backed by state-of-the-art Operation Theatres, Intensive Care Units and a dedicated and committed team of professionals.

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