Palate Cancer Treatment in India
About Palate Cancer
Key Highlights
-
Aims for complete removal of cancerous tissue with clear margins.Can be combined with immediate reconstruction to restore form and function.Often part of a multimodal treatment plan for optimal cancer control.Performed by specialized head and neck surgeons with expertise in oral cavity anatomy.Focuses on preserving critical functions like speech and swallowing.
Who is this surgery for?
- Biopsy-confirmed squamous cell carcinoma or other malignancies of the hard or soft palate.
- Persistent, non-healing ulcers or growths on the palate.
- Cancer that has not responded adequately to non-surgical treatments like radiation.
- Localized disease where surgical removal offers the best chance of cure.
- Pre-cancerous lesions (severe dysplasia) with a high risk of turning malignant.
How to prepare
- Comprehensive imaging (CT, MRI, or PET-CT) to determine tumor extent and staging.
- Complete medical evaluation, including assessment of heart and lung function.
- Consultation with a dietitian for nutritional optimization before surgery.
- Dental evaluation and possible extractions to prevent post-operative infection.
- Pre-operative counseling with speech and swallowing therapists.
- Discontinuation of blood-thinning medications as advised by the surgeon.
- Fasting for 8-12 hours prior to the procedure as per anesthesia guidelines.
Risks & possible complications
- Bleeding, infection, or adverse reaction to anesthesia.
- Damage to nearby structures like teeth, nerves, or blood vessels.
- Persistent difficulty with speech (hypernasality) or swallowing (dysphagia).li>
- Formation of an opening between the mouth and nose (oro-nasal fistula).
- Changes in facial appearance or contour.
- Need for further surgery if cancer margins are not clear.
- Potential for cancer recurrence.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Initial hospital stay for pain management, wound care, and monitoring.
- Feeding may be through a nasogastric tube initially, transitioning to a soft/pureed diet.
- Meticulous oral hygiene with prescribed rinses to prevent infection.
- Regular follow-up visits to monitor healing and remove stitches or drains.
- Early involvement of speech and swallowing therapists for rehabilitation.
- Avoidance of strenuous activity and tobacco/alcohol use.
- Long-term follow-up for surveillance of cancer recurrence.
-
Typical hospital stay:
5-10 days
-
Expected recovery time:
4-8 weeks
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering palate cancer in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Top-rated hospitals in India with head and neck surgery departments and experienced surgeons are ideal for this procedure. Use MediFyr to compare facilities, reviews, and doctor profiles before you decide.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform palate cancer. MediFyr helps you compare head and neck surgeons and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for palate cancer compare across other countries where we have data.
Arjun Garcia, a 58-year-old former construction...
Arjun Garcia, a 58-year-old former construction supervisor, had always been proud of his robust health. A non-smoker but a long-time user of chewing tobacco, he first noticed a persistent sore on the roof of his mouth that wouldn't heal. Over three months, it grew into a painful ulcer, making eating spicy foods, a staple of his Colombian heritage, excruciating. His dentist referred him to a head and neck surgeon, Dr. Chen, who performed a biopsy confirming squamous cell carcinoma of the hard palate. Dr. Chen recommended a wide local excision with a partial maxillectomy, explaining that while the surgery would remove the cancer, it would also affect the shape of his palate. Arjun was terrified of losing his ability to eat and speak normally. The surgery was complex; surgeons removed the tumor and reconstructed the defect with a tissue graft from his forearm. The initial recovery in the hospital was difficult, with a feeding tube and significant facial swelling. However, with intensive speech and swallowing therapy, Arjun gradually regained about 90% of his speech clarity and learned to manage his diet with softer foods. Emotionally, he journeyed from anger and regret over his tobacco use to a determined focus on rehabilitation. While he mourns the loss of his old diet, he feels profound gratitude for being cancer-free and has become a vocal advocate in his community against smokeless tobacco.
Head and Neck surgeons for Palate Cancer
Explore experienced head and neck surgeons who regularly perform palate cancer and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 14 Years Experience
- Head and Neck surgeon
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
- 11 Years Experience
- Head and Neck surgeon
Manipal Hospital Mysore, Mysore
- 13 Years Experience
- Head and Neck surgeon
Manipal Hospital Vijayawada, vijayawada
- 14 Years Experience
- Head and Neck surgeon
- 17 Years Experience
- Head and Neck surgeon
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai