Head & Neck Cancer Care | Apollo Hospitals

Head & Neck Cancer Care
Types Of Head & Neck Cancers
World-Class Diagnostics Early Detection
Staging of Head & Neck Cancers
Our Approach to Treatments
Survivorship & Supportive Care
Multidisciplinary Team-Based Care
Meet Our Doctors
Stories of Healing
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Head & Neck Cancer Care Precision Treatment,
Restoring Function & Life

Head and neck cancers can affect essential functions like speaking, breathing, and swallowing. When diagnosed early and treated with expertise, these cancers are highly manageable. With advances in precision surgery, robotic techniques, targeted therapies, and reconstructive care, modern treatment not only saves lives but also preserves function, dignity, and quality of life.

Types Of
Head & Neck Cancers

Head and neck cancers are classified based on their site of origin:

Affects the tongue, gums, inner cheek, lips, or palate.
Among the most common, often linked to tobacco, alcohol, or poor oral hygiene

Develops in the thyroid gland located at the front of the neck
Most common types include papillary and follicular thyroid cancers, which often grow slowly and respond well to treatment when detected early
Rarer forms such as medullary and anaplastic thyroid cancers may require more aggressive treatment

Begins in the tonsils, base of the tongue, or back of the throat
Primarily associated with HPV infection

Found behind the nose and upper throat
More common in certain geographic regions and linked to Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)

Starts in the lower throat, just above the food pipe
Often diagnosed late because symptoms are subtle

Affects the voice box (larynx)
Leads to hoarseness of voice or changes in speech

Arises in the glands that produce saliva
Most common gland affected is the parotid gland near the jaw

Originates in the nasal cavity (hollow area inside of your nose) or paranasal sinuses (hollow spaces in the bones surrounding your nose)
Often presenting with nasal blockage, bleeding, or facial swelling

Head & Neck Cancers And HPV Status

In the context of head and neck cancers, certain biological markers help determine how the cancer behaves and which treatments are most effective. One of the most important is Human Papillomavirus (HPV) status.

HPV-Positive Head & Neck Cancer

These cancers are caused by infection with high-risk HPV strains, most commonly affecting the tonsils and base of the tongue. HPV-positive cancers often respond better to treatment and tend to have better outcomes compared to HPV-negative cancers.

HPV-Negative Head & Neck Cancer

These cancers are more commonly linked to tobacco and alcohol exposure. They may behave more aggressively and often require combined treatment approaches such as surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.

World-Class Diagnostics
& Early Detection

Early detection plays a critical role in successfully treating head and neck cancers. With advanced imaging, endoscopic evaluation, and molecular testing, patients can receive precise diagnosis and treatment planning.

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Diagnostics

At Athenaa, our advanced diagnostic capabilities ensure accurate evaluation and staging:

High-resolution CT scans and MRI imaging for tumor mapping
PET-CT scans to detect cancer spread and guide treatment planning
Neck ultrasound for suspicious neck lumps, thyroid nodules, and soft tissue masses
Flexible nasoendoscopy and laryngoscopy for direct visualization of the upper airway
Biopsies, including image-guided biopsies and fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC)
HPV and molecular marker testing
Intraoperative PTH assay

All diagnostic procedures are interpreted by internationally trained radiologists and pathologists experienced in head and neck oncology.

Screening

While there is no universal screening test for head and neck cancers, early detection strategies can identify disease at a treatable stage.

Regular oral cavity and throat examinations, especially for tobacco users
HPV awareness and vaccination programs
HPV awareness and vaccination programs
Preventive counselling with lifestyle guidance

Many head and neck cancers develop silently. Recognizing persistent symptoms such as ulcers, voice changes, or swallowing difficulty can help detect cancer early, when treatment outcomes are most favorable.

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Staging of Head & Neck Cancers

Head and neck cancer staging follows the TNM system, based on tumor size, lymph node involvement, and metastasis. Accurate staging allows doctors to select the most effective treatment strategy while preserving function and quality of life whenever possible. Early detection dramatically improve outcomes, especially when treatment begins before the disease spreads to lymph nodes or distant organs.

Stage 0

Carcinoma in situ;
abnormal cells are present
but confined to the surface lining

Stage I

Small tumor (usually ≤2 cm)
confined to the original site,
no lymph node involvement

Stage II

Larger tumor (2-4 cm) but
still limited to the primary site,
no lymph node involvement

Stage III

Spread to nearby
lymph nodes or
larger local tumors (>4 cm).

Stage IV

Advanced disease involving
multiple lymph nodes or
spread to distant organs.

Our Approach To Treatment

At Athenaa, treatment combines advanced technology with multidisciplinary expertise. Each treatment plan is personalized to balance cancer control, functional preservation, and quality of life.

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Surgical Oncology

Surgery remains one of the most effective treatments for head and neck cancers. Modern techniques focus on precise tumor removal while preserving vital functions like speech and swallowing.

Conventional thyroidectomy and parathyroidectomy surgery
Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) and Transoral Laser Microsurgery (TLM) for minimally invasive tumor removal
Laser-assisted endoscopic tumor excision
Oral cavity and jaw tumor resections
Laryngeal preservation surgeries
Remote access/scar sparing surgeries
Neck dissection for lymph node removal
Salivary gland tumor surgery
Skull base and sinus tumor surgery
Placement of feeding tubes or airway support when required

Our surgical oncologists use advanced technology to remove cancer while minimizing functional impact.

Medical Oncology

At Athenaa, cancer treatment is never one-size-fits-all. Our medical oncology team designs therapies around each woman’s tumor biology, genetics, and life goals — bringing the best of global breakthroughs into compassionate personalized care.

Chemotherapy as primary or supportive therapy
Concurrent chemoradiation for advanced cancers
Targeted therapy for specific tumor markers
Immunotherapy for recurrent or metastatic disease
Radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy for differentiated thyroid cancers
Precision oncology using molecular profiling
Palliative therapies to control symptoms and maintain quality of life

Our chemotherapy day-care facilities are designed to provide safe, comfortable treatment under expert supervision.

Head & Neck Reconstructive Surgery

Restoring appearance and function is a critical part of head and neck cancer care.

Microvascular free flap reconstruction
Jaw (mandible) reconstruction
Tongue and oral cavity reconstruction
Facial nerve and facial reanimation surgery
Skin and soft tissue reconstruction

These procedures allow patients to regain essential functions such as speaking, eating, and facial expression.

Radiation Oncology

Radiation therapy plays a central role in the treatment of head and neck cancers, either alone or combined with surgery and chemotherapy.

External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT)
Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) for precise tumor targeting
Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT)
Hypofractionated radiation schedules when appropriate
Proton therapy for complex tumors near critical structures such as the brainstem, spinal cord, and eyes
Zap X stereotactic radiosurgery

These advanced technologies allow high-dose treatment to tumors while protecting nearby organs.

Survivorship & Supportive Care
Healing Beyond Treatment

Cancer treatment is only one part of the journey. Survivorship care focuses on helping women recover fully-physically, emotionally, and socially-after cancer. It addresses long-term health, supports emotional well-being, and ensures women regain confidence and quality of life.

At Athenaa, our care does not stop when treatment ends. Survivorship is about restoring health, dignity, and confidence, helping every woman live fully, thrive, and embrace life after cancer.

Speech and Swallowing Rehabilitation

At Athenaa, we offer specialized therapy to restore speech clarity and safe swallowing after treatment.

Physiotherapy & Occupational Therapy

Specialized therapy support for recovery of strength, mobility, and daily function, while aiding posture and independence after cancer treatment.

Nutrition & Lifestyle Counselling

Specialist-led support with personalized care to help manage treatment side effects, maintain strength during therapy, and promote long-term recovery

Support Groups & Onco-Psychology

Emotional resilience is key to recovery. Our support groups and psycho-oncology team offer counselling for anxiety, body image, fear of recurrence, and relationship changes.

Palliative Care

Even when cancer cannot be cured, comfort can be protected. Our palliative care team manages physical and emotional distress with dignity-focused support.

Home Care Services

When hospital visits are difficult, our team brings care home. We offer skilled, compassionate support where women feel safest — at home.

Multidisciplinary Team-Based Care

Excellence is never by chance — it is by design. At Athenaa, every woman’s case is discussed in a dedicated tumor board, strengthened by collaboration with Johns Hopkins experts. This ensures that every decision carries the weight of world-class wisdom and the precision of personalized care.