SSO Cancer Hospitals Offers Free Care for Poor Head & Neck Cancer Patients

SSO Cancer Hospitals has unveiled a new center of excellence aimed at providing free head and neck cancer treatment to patients living below the poverty line. This initiative comes in response to the growing incidence of such cancers in India, and it aims to offer comprehensive care that includes surgery, reconstruction, and multidisciplinary treatment.

Comprehensive Cancer Care Under One Roof

The newly established center will focus on various forms of head and neck cancers, including those affecting the mouth, tongue, voice box, thyroid, and salivary glands, as well as more complex regions like the skull base. The facility will be staffed by a team of skilled surgical oncologists who have collectively performed over 100,000 successful surgeries.

Dr. Amit Chakraborty, the Lead Head & Neck Surgical Oncologist at SSO Cancer Hospitals, emphasized the center’s holistic approach. “Our focus extends beyond removing the tumor to helping patients return to normal life. Head and neck cancer treatment can affect a person’s ability to speak, swallow, eat, and breathe, as well as their appearance and confidence,” he stated.

Addressing a Growing Health Crisis

According to a 2026 peer-reviewed analysis of GLOBOCAN 2022 data, India reported 143,759 new cases of lip and oral cavity cancer and 79,979 related deaths. The majority of these cases, estimated at 70% to 80%, are linked to the use of tobacco and areca nut, underscoring the urgent need for prevention, early screening, and timely specialist referrals.

In tackling this health crisis, the SSO Cancer Hospitals' center is committed to utilizing advanced treatment methods. Wherever feasible, organ-preserving approaches, robotic and minimally invasive procedures, skull-base surgery, and jaw reconstruction will be employed. Complex cases will be reviewed by a multidisciplinary team to ensure comprehensive treatment plans that incorporate speech, swallowing, and nutritional support at early stages.

Research and Education as Pillars

Beyond treatment, the center aims to become a hub for research and education in head and neck oncology. By integrating these elements, SSO Cancer Hospitals seeks to advance the understanding of cancer treatment and improve patient outcomes. This initiative not only addresses immediate healthcare needs but also aims to contribute to the broader medical community’s knowledge base.

The launch of this center is a significant step in making cancer care accessible to underprivileged populations, who often face barriers to receiving timely and effective treatment. By removing financial obstacles, SSO Cancer Hospitals hopes to improve survival rates and quality of life for patients battling head and neck cancers.