When a patient is diagnosed with head and neck cancer, the first fear is often survival. But closely behind that is a second, deeply personal fear: “Will I ever look the same? Will I be able to speak or eat again?”
In the Purvanchal region, where head and neck cancers account for nearly 30% of all cancer cases, these questions are vital. Traditionally, extensive surgery meant visible disfigurement. But today, at Upkar Hospital and Cancer Institute, the focus has shifted from just “removing the tumor” to “restoring the person.”
Led by Dr. Swapnil Patel, a gold-medalist from AIIMS Delhi and former Associate Professor at Tata Memorial (Varanasi), the oncology team is bringing world-class Microvascular Free Flap Surgery to the heart of Uttar Pradesh.
What is Head and Neck Cancer?
Head and neck cancer is a broad term for tumors that start in the:
- Oral Cavity: Tongue, gums, and lining of the cheeks.
- Pharynx & Larynx: The throat and voice box.
- Salivary Glands & Thyroid.
- Nasal Cavity and Sinuses.
In our region, the synergy of tobacco and betel nut often leads to aggressive cases that require complex surgical intervention.
The Art of Reconstruction: What is “Free Flap” Surgery?
One of the most significant advancements in modern surgical oncology is Microvascular Free Flap Reconstruction.
How it Works:
When Dr. Patel removes a large tumor from the jaw, tongue, or cheek, it leaves a “defect” or gap. In the past, this gap was simply closed, often leading to a pulled face or loss of function.
With Free Flap Surgery, Dr. Patel harvests healthy tissue—which could be skin from the forearm, fat from the thigh, or bone from the leg (fibula)—along with its tiny blood vessels. Using a high-powered surgical microscope, he then connects these tiny vessels (some as thin as a hair) to the blood vessels in the neck.
Why it’s a Game-Changer:
Functional Restoration: Allows patients to swallow and speak clearly.
Structural Integrity: Using the fibula bone to “rebuild” a removed jawbone.
Aesthetic Healing: Minimizes disfigurement, helping patients return to social life with confidence.
The Power of the “Cancer Board” at Upkar Hospital
At Upkar Hospital, no single doctor decides your fate. Every complex case is presented to our Multidisciplinary Cancer Board.
What is a Cancer Board? It is a formal meeting where a panel of experts—Surgical Oncologists, Medical Oncologists, Radiologists, and Pathologists—review a patient’s reports together.
Tailored Planning: The board discusses whether to start with chemotherapy to shrink the tumor or go straight to surgery.
Collective Wisdom: You get the benefit of four or five expert opinions in one room.
Global Standards: This “Tata Memorial Model” of care ensures that treatment in Varanasi matches the protocols used in Mumbai or New York.
Why Choose Upkar Hospital and Cancer Institute?
Under the clinical leadership of Dr. Swapnil Patel, Upkar Hospital has become a beacon of hope for Purvanchal.
- Elite Training: Dr. Patel brings the precision of AIIMS Delhi and the volume experience of Tata Memorial Centre.
- Advanced Infrastructure: Equipped with state-of-the-art operation theaters designed for microvascular work.
- Compassionate Rehabilitation: Beyond surgery, we provide speech therapy and nutritional counseling to ensure you don’t just survive, but thrive.
A Message to the Community
If you or a loved one notices a persistent hoarseness in voice, a lump in the neck, or a non-healing sore in the mouth, time is of the essence.
“Our goal at Upkar Hospital is to ensure that a cancer diagnosis isn’t the end of a patient’s social or functional life. Through reconstruction and team-based care, we fight to give you your life back, exactly as you remember it.” — Dr. Swapnil Patel
Consult Dr. Swapnil Patel Today!
Don’t travel thousands of miles for expert care. The best in oncology is now in Varanasi.
Upkar Super-Speciality Hospital & Cancer Institute
Address: Sundarpur – BLW Road, Varanasi.
Contact: +91 81880 88515 | +91 81154 76767 Website: www.drswapnilpatel.com
