How do I start my treatment?

Share your medical reports along with your age, symptoms and history. Our team consults senior specialists and sends a treatment plan, estimated cost, expected outcome and duration of stay. If you decide to proceed, we issue an official invitation letter for your medical visa and coordinate pickup, appointments, hospital and accommodation.

Do you charge for your services?

No. Our assistance is completely free for patients, and using our services does not increase your hospital bill. Hospitals pay us a coordination fee out of their existing margin.

Do you assist with visa and travel?

Yes. We issue the e-medical visa invitation letter free of charge and guide your travel planning so the journey is straightforward.

Can I bring a family member?

Yes. One attendant bed is included in the estimate, and up to two attendants can apply for linked medical attendant visas.

How can I make the payment?

Pay by card or in US dollars after arriving, or transfer directly to the hospital's official account before travel. Payment always goes to the hospital, never to us.

What happens after I return home?

We stay in touch for follow-ups. Your treating doctor remains available for online consultations during recovery, at no charge.

Head & Neck Cancer Surgery in India

Also known as Oral cancer surgery cost India, thyroid cancer surgery cost India, laryngeal cancer surgery, neck dissection surgery, tongue cancer surgery, throat cancer surgery India

Cost from$4,000 – $10,000 In hospital4-10 days Stay in Indiaabout 3-4 weeks Success70-95% Procedure time2-8 hours, depending on tumor site, extent, and whether reconstruction is performed AnaesthesiaGeneral Opinion in24 hours

The short answer

Head and neck cancer surgery in India costs between $4,000 and $10,000, against $40,000 to $100,000 in Western countries. This covers surgery for cancers of the mouth, tongue, throat, larynx, thyroid, and salivary glands, and often includes removal of nearby lymph nodes in the neck to check for spread.

About Head & Neck Cancer Surgery

Head and neck cancer covers a group of cancers arising in the mouth, tongue, throat (pharynx and larynx), thyroid, salivary glands, and sinuses. Surgery is a primary treatment for many of these cancers, particularly when detected early, and the specific operation depends heavily on where the tumor is and how far it has spread.

Common types of surgery

For oral and tongue cancers, surgery removes the tumor with a margin of healthy tissue, sometimes requiring reconstruction if a significant portion of tissue is removed. For laryngeal (voice box) cancer, surgery can range from removing part of the larynx to a total laryngectomy for more advanced cases, which affects natural speech and requires alternative voice methods afterward. Thyroid cancer surgery typically involves removing part or all of the thyroid gland, and generally has a favourable outlook compared to other head and neck cancers. Salivary gland tumors are removed along with surrounding tissue, with care taken to protect nearby facial nerves.

Neck dissection

Because head and neck cancers often spread first to lymph nodes in the neck, a neck dissection, removing some or all of the lymph nodes on one or both sides of the neck, is frequently performed alongside the main tumor surgery. Whether this is needed, and how extensive it needs to be, depends on imaging findings and the type and stage of the primary cancer.

Reconstruction and what to expect

For cancers involving the tongue, jaw, or throat, reconstruction using tissue from another part of the body may be needed to restore function and appearance. Recovery can affect speech, swallowing, or voice depending on the site and extent of surgery, and speech and swallowing therapy is often part of the recovery plan. Depending on the final pathology and stage, radiation or chemotherapy may be recommended after surgery.

Why patients choose India for this

Save 80-90% on head and neck cancer surgery

The same tumor removal, neck dissection, and reconstruction techniques used in leading Western head and neck oncology centres are available in India at a fraction of the cost.

Dedicated head and neck oncology teams

Partner hospitals bring together head and neck surgeons, reconstructive surgeons, and oncologists as a coordinated team for these cases.

Reconstruction expertise for function and appearance

Where tumor removal affects speech, swallowing, or facial structure, reconstructive techniques are available to restore function as much as possible.

Speech and swallowing rehabilitation support

Recovery support for speech and swallowing is built into the treatment pathway for cases where surgery affects these functions.

Head & Neck Cancer Surgery cost

Country	Indicative cost
India — with Nobel Medi Assistance	$4,000 – $10,000
United States	$40,000 - $100,000
United Kingdom	$22,000 - $45,000
UAE / Middle East	$12,000 - $22,000
Singapore	$15,000 - $28,000

Figures are indicative for international patients and depend on the hospital, the surgeon and your reports. Your exact cost is confirmed in writing after a specialist review — free, and with no obligation.

What the estimate covers

Included

Head and neck surgeon and surgical team fees
Operation theatre, anaesthesia, and standard surgical supplies
Hospital stay for the planned duration
Routine medicines during the hospital stay
Post-operative nursing and wound care
Pathology review of the removed tissue and lymph nodes

Not included

Diagnostic workup (biopsy, imaging, staging scans) done before arrival in India
Flights, visa and travel insurance for the patient and accompanying family
Accommodation once discharged from hospital
Reconstructive surgery using tissue from elsewhere in the body, if extensive reconstruction is needed
Chemotherapy or radiation therapy, if recommended after surgery
Speech and swallowing therapy beyond the initial hospital stay
Long-term follow-up visits and scans after returning home

How Head & Neck Cancer Surgery is done

Diagnosis and stagingA head and neck surgeon reviews biopsy results and imaging to confirm the tumor's site, size, and whether it has spread to lymph nodes.
Pre-operative workupBlood tests, imaging, and anaesthesia clearance are completed to confirm fitness for surgery.
AnaesthesiaThe patient is placed under general anaesthesia for the procedure.
Tumor removalThe tumor is removed with a margin of healthy tissue, with the specific technique depending on whether it's in the mouth, throat, thyroid, or salivary gland.
Neck dissection, if neededLymph nodes in the neck are removed and sent for pathology to check for spread of the cancer.
Reconstruction, if neededWhere tissue removal is extensive, reconstruction is performed to restore appearance and function as much as possible.
ClosureThe incision is closed and a sterile dressing applied.
Discharge and follow-up planPathology and staging results are reviewed with the patient, and a follow-up plan, including any recommended radiation or chemotherapy, is set before travel home.

Recovery and what to expect

First 24-48 hoursMonitored closely for airway, swallowing, and wound status, particularly for surgeries involving the throat or larynx.
Days 3-6Gradual reintroduction of oral intake, or feeding support if swallowing is affected, with speech and swallowing assessment as needed.
4-10 daysDischarged from hospital once stable, depending on the extent of surgery and reconstruction, if performed.
2-3 weeksContinued recovery at accommodation in India, with a follow-up visit and pathology review before flying home.
4-8 weeks onwardGradual return to normal activity and diet; any recommended radiation or chemotherapy begins on the oncology team's schedule, and speech/swallowing therapy continues as needed.

Specialists who perform this

Where it is done

Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket

📍 New Delhi · 539 beds ✓ NABH, JCI

Fortis Memorial Research Institute

📍 Gurgaon · 330 beds ✓ NABH, JCI

Medanta & The Medicity

📍 Gurgaon · 1250 beds ✓ NABH, JCI

Indraprastha Apollo Hospital

📍 Delhi · 710 beds ✓ JCI, NABH, NABL

Frequently asked questions

Will surgery affect my speech or swallowing?

This depends on the site and extent of surgery. Cancers involving the tongue, throat, or larynx carry more risk to these functions than thyroid or early-stage oral cancers. Your surgeon will discuss this specifically for your case.

Will I need a neck dissection?

This depends on whether imaging or biopsy shows the cancer has spread to lymph nodes in the neck, and the type and stage of your primary cancer. Your surgeon will confirm this before surgery.

Will I need radiation or chemotherapy after surgery?

This depends on the tumor's size, stage, and whether it had spread to lymph nodes, confirmed by pathology after surgery. Your oncology team will recommend next steps based on those results.

What is the outlook for thyroid cancer compared to other head and neck cancers?

Most thyroid cancers have a favourable long-term outlook compared to other head and neck cancer sites. Your oncologist can give you an individualised picture based on the specific type and stage.

Will I need reconstructive surgery?

Reconstruction is needed when a significant amount of tissue is removed, particularly for larger tongue, jaw, or throat cancers. Smaller, early-stage cancers often don't require it.

How long is the hospital stay?

Typically 4-10 days, depending on the cancer site and whether reconstruction is performed.

Can a family member stay with me during treatment?

Yes, our partner hospitals accommodate an accompanying family member, and our team assists with visa arrangements for this.

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