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On World Head & Neck Cancer Day, Dr Amit Chakraborty, leading head and neck cancer surgeon at SSO Hospital, Ghatkopar, highlighted that head and neck cancers comprise 30% to 40% of India's cancer burden. With oral cancer being most common, SSO Hospital performs 700 to 1,000 surgeries annually. Dr Chakraborty noted that 20% to 40% of patients face recurrence, typically within two to three years, driven by residual cells, tobacco, alcohol, stress, and poor diet. He urged early biopsy, strict follow-ups, healthy lifestyle choices, and HPV vaccination while announcing SSO Hospital's upcoming Head and Neck Cancer Centre of Excellence.

Speaking at a press conference, Dr Amit Chakraborty, Surgical Oncologist and Head and Neck Cancer Expert, highlighted that head and neck cancers account for 30% to 40% of all cancer cases in India. He urged individuals with symptoms to get a biopsy promptly rather than delaying treatment. Attributing the rise in younger patients to high stress, unhealthy diets, and tobacco or alcohol use, Dr Chakraborty advocated for lifestyle changes, addiction cessation, and HPV vaccination. With SSO Hospital performing 700 to 1,000 surgeries annually for local and international patients, he emphasised that prevention remains the best defence against cancer.

During Head & Neck Cancer Awareness Week, Dr Amit Chakraborty and Ghatkopar’s SSO Hospital team stressed that early detection is key to recovery. Dr Chakraborty clarified that biopsies are safe and do not spread cancer, adding that Stage 1 cases are often curable through surgery alone, avoiding chemotherapy or radiation if post-surgical care begins within six weeks. Crucially, 20% to 30% of head and neck cancers occur in non-smokers and non-drinkers, frequently driven by human papillomavirus (HPV). This risk can be prevented via a 3-dose vaccine for individuals up to age 49. Anyone with a mouth ulcer lasting over three weeks should seek evaluation.

Dr Amit Chakraborty and the SSO Hospital team in Ghatkopar highlighted that early detection saves lives, noting Stage 1 head and neck cancer is often curable through surgery alone, avoiding chemo or radiation. He reassured patients that biopsies do not spread cancer and advised starting post-surgical care within six weeks. Notably, 20% to 30% of cases occur in non-smokers, frequently caused by Human Papillomavirus (HPV), a risk preventable via a 3-dose vaccine for individuals up to age 49. Dr Amit, leading head and neck cancer surgical oncologist, also advises anyone with a mouth ulcer lasting over three weeks to see a specialist immediately.

A 70-year-old tongue cancer survivor successfully recovered after receiving timely treatment at SSO Hospital, Ghatkopar. Diagnosed with a non-healing ulcer linked to past smoking, he underwent surgery by surgical oncologist Dr Amit Chakraborty and fully recovered within weeks without needing chemotherapy or radiation. Dr Chakraborty emphasised that early detection drastically improves outcomes and avoids aggressive therapies. He also warned against youth vaping, noting e-cigarettes contain over 200 carcinogenic chemicals. To ensure affordable care, SSO Hospital offers financial assistance through government schemes and charitable trusts, while Dr Chakraborty urges people to quit tobacco and seek immediate care.

Even after successful treatment for head and neck cancer, the disease can recur in about 10% to 15% of patients, making regular follow-ups, timely check-ups, and lifestyle changes vital. Dr Amit Chakraborty, leading head and neck cancer surgeon, explains that tobacco, alcohol, and HPV drive these cases in India, with oral cancer being the most common. Recurrence typically occurs within the first two to three years post-treatment, but Dr Chakraborty reassures that it does not mean treatment failure; early detection allows effective management through surgery, radiation, or targeted therapy. To prevent recurrence, he advises completely eliminating tobacco and alcohol, staying vigilant about unusual symptoms, and keeping up with scheduled doctor visits.

Smartphones rarely leave our side, and many wonder if their radiation increases cancer risk. Smartphones rarely leave our side, and many wonder if their radiation increases cancer risk. Dr Amit Chakraborty, Surgical Oncologist and Head and Neck Cancer Expert, explains that phones emit RF energy, a form of non-ionising radiation, different from the ionising radiation, like X-rays, known to damage DNA and cause cancer. Large global studies have found no consistent evidence linking phone use to brain cancer or other common cancers, though evolving technology will keep this research ongoing.

Many oral cancer patients facing surgery worry about how their face will look afterwards. Dr Amit Chakraborty, a leading head and neck cancer surgical oncologist, says that worry doesn't hold up against where reconstructive medicine stands today. Oral cancer often stems from tobacco, smoking, heavy drinking and HPV infection, and advanced cases usually require removing the tumour and surrounding tissue. The belief that this permanently alters appearance or speech is largely myth. Surgeons can now rebuild the jaw, tongue or face using tissue from elsewhere in the body, restoring both looks and function, with rehabilitation and speech therapy supporting recovery. His advice: don't let fear delay treatment.

A 65-year-old Mumbai woman had a rare tumour removed from the parapharyngeal space, one of the body's trickiest surgical zones, after months of sore throat and voice changes. Dr Amit Chakraborty, Head and Neck Cancer Expert, removed the 5 cm pleomorphic adenoma without cutting the jawbone, an approach other hospitals deemed necessary. Such tumours, under 1% of head and neck cases, sit near nerves controlling speech and swallowing. Operating through a careful neck incision preserved these structures, and the patient swallowed normally the next day with no complications. His advice: don't ignore slow, painless symptoms, since early diagnosis ensures safer outcomes.

Many people light a cigarette or reach for tobacco when stressed or anxious, believing it helps them stay calm. Dr Amit Chakraborty, Head and Neck Cancer Expert, says this is actually relief from nicotine withdrawal, not real emotional regulation. Nicotine triggers a brief dopamine boost, but the brain soon depends on it just to feel normal, fuelling dependence and irritability. Long-term use is linked to higher anxiety, depression and poor sleep. Often slipping in during stress, grief or work pressure, tobacco worsens the symptoms it seems to soothe. His advice: seek support early, build healthier coping habits, and don't fear judgement.

Tobacco and alcohol together account for nearly 62% of mouth cancer cases in India, yet most people don't connect their daily habits to this risk. Dr. Amit Chakraborty, Surgical Oncologist, explains why awareness alone isn't enough to break addiction, how alcohol and tobacco multiply each other's cancer-causing effects, and why younger Indians between 18 and 35 are increasingly at risk. From early warning signs that are easy to miss to practical steps for prevention, this article covers what you need to know about oral cancer in India and how early detection can make all the difference.

Dr. Amit Chakraborty, Head & Neck Cancer Expert,Dr. Amit Chakraborty, Head & Neck Cancer Expert, highlights critical early oral cancer warning signs that tobacco users frequently overlook. These include mouth ulcers not healing within 2 weeks, bleeding gums, persistent bad breath, white or red mouth patches, pain while chewing, lumps, swelling, loose teeth, difficulty speaking/swallowing, and mouth numbness. Dr Chakraborty urges immediate medical attention for any persistent oral symptoms, emphasising that early detection significantly improves treatment outcomes.

Dr. Amit Chakraborty, Head & Neck Cancer Expert and Specialist in Surgical Oncology, argues that affordable healthcare must never compromise clinical quality, especially in oncology. With rising cancer cases in India, he emphasizes that true affordability means better outcomes, fewer complications, and efficient systems, not reduced standards. Innovation, skilled specialists, and ethical care are key to achieving both goals.

Head and Neck Cancer is not caused by smoking and tobacco alone. Changing lifestyle, HPV infection, air pollution, and poor dental hygiene are equally responsible. Yet misconceptions around this disease often delay diagnosis and treatment. Dr. Amit Chakravarti, Surgical Oncologist and Head and Neck Cancer Expert, busts 10 of the most dangerous myths around this disease and explains why early diagnosis is the most powerful weapon against it.

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], August 12: Dr. Amit Chakraborty, a leading head and neck cancer surgical oncologist, has announced the expansion of his cancer care services with the opening of new centers in Nagpur and Dubai. This strategic expansion aims to enhance global access to advanced cancer treatment, offering state-of-the-art medical care to a broader patient base.

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], August 12: Dr. Amit Chakraborty, a leading head and neck cancer surgical oncologist, has announced the expansion of his cancer care services with the opening of new centers in Nagpur and Dubai. This strategic expansion aims to enhance global access to advanced cancer treatment, offering state-of-the-art medical care to a broader patient base.