Pharyngeal Cancer Treatment in India
About Pharyngeal Cancer
Key Highlights
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Curative intent for localized pharyngeal cancer.Potential for organ and function preservation with modern techniques.Often performed using minimally invasive approaches like TORS or laser surgery.Allows for precise pathological staging to guide further treatment.Can be combined with reconstructive surgery to restore form and function.Part of a comprehensive, multidisciplinary cancer care plan./ul
Who is this surgery for?
- Biopsy-confirmed squamous cell carcinoma or other malignancy of the pharynx.
- Localized tumor (Stage I, II, or select Stage III) amenable to surgical resection.
- Persistent or recurrent cancer after radiation/chemoradiation therapy.
- Tumor causing significant obstruction, bleeding, or pain.
- As part of a planned treatment protocol involving surgery followed by adjuvant therapy.
- Patient is medically fit for major surgery and anesthesia.
How to prepare
- Comprehensive diagnostic workup including endoscopy, biopsy, and imaging (CT, MRI, PET-CT).
- Multidisciplinary tumor board review to determine the optimal treatment plan.
- Pre-operative nutritional assessment and support if needed.
- Dental evaluation and any necessary dental work.
- Pre-anesthesia check-up and optimization of chronic medical conditions.
- Counseling regarding the procedure, potential need for a temporary tracheostomy or feeding tube, and voice/swallowing therapy.
- Smoking and alcohol cessation is strongly advised.
Risks & possible complications
- General surgical risks: bleeding, infection, adverse reaction to anesthesia.
- Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) requiring temporary or permanent feeding tube.
- Changes in voice quality or permanent hoarseness.
- Need for a temporary or permanent tracheostomy.
- Fistula formation (abnormal connection between throat and skin).
- Shoulder weakness (if spinal accessory nerve is affected).
- Chronic pain or stiffness in the neck.
- Risk of cancer recurrence.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Initial hospital stay for monitoring, pain management, and wound care.
- Swallowing and speech therapy often begins in the hospital and continues post-discharge.
- Care of tracheostomy and/or feeding tube as needed.
- Gradual transition from tube feeds to oral diet under guidance of a speech-language pathologist.
- Regular follow-up appointments for wound checks and surveillance endoscopies.
- Adherence to any prescribed adjuvant radiation or chemotherapy.
- Long-term rehabilitation to optimize swallowing, speech, and shoulder function.
- Lifestyle modifications including continued smoking/alcohol cessation and nutritional support.
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Typical hospital stay:
7-14 days
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Expected recovery time:
4-8 weeks for initial recovery; 3-6 months for full functional rehabilitation
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering pharyngeal 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 pharyngeal 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 pharyngeal cancer compare across other countries where we have data.
| Country | Estimated cost range | Typical stay | Recovery time | View details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | INR 250 Thousand – 1.2 Million | 7-14 days | ~ 4-8 weeks for initial recovery; 3-6 months for full functional rehabilitation | Know More |
| Turkey | TRY 875 Thousand – 4.2 Million | 7-14 days | ~ 4-8 weeks for initial recovery; 3-6 months for full functional rehabilitation | Know More |
Michael Chopra, a 58-year-old former construction...
Michael Chopra, a 58-year-old former construction supervisor and avid guitarist, had been a lifelong smoker. For months, he dismissed a persistent sore throat and hoarseness as 'smoker's cough' and allergies. When he began struggling to swallow his favorite spicy foods and noticed a small, painless lump on the side of his neck, his wife insisted he see a doctor. An ENT specialist discovered a tumor at the base of his tongue. The recommendation was transoral robotic surgery (TORS) to remove the tumor, followed by a course of radiation therapy. Michael was terrified, not just of cancer, but of losing his voice and his ability to play music. The surgery was successful in removing all visible cancer with clear margins. Recovery was difficult; he had a feeding tube for two weeks and worked intensely with a speech-language pathologist to regain swallowing and vocal clarity. Six months later, his voice is slightly raspier but strong, he's eating normally, and he's back to playing blues guitar. His emotional journey was from denial and fear of losing his identity to profound gratitude for modern surgical techniques that preserved his functions and a renewed commitment to his health and family.
Head and Neck surgeons for Pharyngeal Cancer
Explore experienced head and neck surgeons who regularly perform pharyngeal 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