Every month, patients travel to Bangalore from the UK, UAE, Singapore, Kenya, Nigeria, and Australia for head and neck cancer surgery. They come for the same reasons: world-class surgical expertise, no waiting list, and costs that are 60–80% lower than in their home countries.
This guide is written specifically for international patients and their families who are considering surgery in India. I want to answer the questions I am asked most frequently — about quality, costs, logistics, follow-up, and what to expect — honestly and in detail.
Send your reports on WhatsApp to +91 9150000542 for a preliminary opinion within 24–48 hours before making any travel arrangements. Most patients are seen within 48–72 hours of arrival in Bangalore.
Why Patients Choose India for Head and Neck Cancer Surgery
No waiting list. In the UK, waiting times from diagnosis to surgery for head and neck cancer can exceed 8–12 weeks on the NHS. In India, patients are typically operated within 5–7 days of first consultation. For cancer, every week matters.
Cost. The cost of complex head and neck surgery in India is 60–80% lower than equivalent procedures in the UK, USA, or Australia — without compromising quality. A total thyroidectomy that costs £15,000 in the UK costs ₹2.5–3.5 lakhs in Bangalore. A jaw resection with free-flap reconstruction that costs £60,000 in the UK costs ₹8–15 lakhs here.
Surgical expertise. India has a significant number of internationally trained, fellowship-qualified head and neck surgeons. I trained at Chris O'Brien Lifehouse in Sydney and hold a visiting scholar position at the University of Pennsylvania — the same training that surgeons in Western centres have, applied here at a fraction of the cost.
English-speaking care. All medical communication at our centre is in English. Nursing staff, coordinators, and the entire clinical team communicate in English throughout your stay.
Cost Comparison
| Procedure | UK (NHS/Private) | USA | Bangalore, India |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Thyroidectomy | £12,000–18,000 | $18,000–25,000 | ₹2–3.5 Lakhs |
| Neck Dissection | £15,000–25,000 | $20,000–35,000 | ₹3–5 Lakhs |
| Oral Cancer Resection | £20,000–35,000 | $30,000–50,000 | ₹4–8 Lakhs |
| Jaw Reconstruction (Fibula) | £40,000–70,000 | $60,000–100,000 | ₹8–15 Lakhs |
| TORS Surgery | £25,000–45,000 | $35,000–60,000 | ₹5–10 Lakhs |
| Skull Base Surgery | £50,000–90,000 | $70,000–120,000 | ₹12–22 Lakhs |
* Costs are indicative. A personalised estimate is provided after reviewing your reports. Contact: +91 9150000542
How to Travel to Bangalore
Bangalore's Kempegowda International Airport (BLR) is one of India's most connected airports, with direct flights from:
Step-by-Step: How to Organise Your Treatment
Send Reports Before You Travel
WhatsApp your biopsy reports, imaging (CT/MRI/PET-CT), and medical summary to +91 9150000542. Receive a preliminary opinion and cost estimate within 24–48 hours — before booking any flights.
Apply for a Medical Visa
India offers a Medical Visa (MV) specifically for patients travelling for treatment. We provide a hospital invitation letter to support your visa application. Most medical visas are granted within 3–5 working days. One accompanying family member is typically granted a Medical Attendant Visa.
Arrive and Consult
We arrange your consultation appointment for Day 1 or 2 after arrival. Our coordinator assists with hospital registration, accommodation recommendations near the hospital, and any local logistics.
Pre-operative Workup
Any additional tests — blood work, ECG, anaesthetic review — are completed within 1–2 days. For most patients, surgery is scheduled within 5–7 days of arrival.
Surgery and Recovery
Hospital stay varies by procedure: 1–2 days for thyroid, 5–7 days for oral cancer surgery, 7–10 days for jaw reconstruction. English-speaking nurses and 24-hour doctor cover throughout.
Discharge and Remote Follow-up
You receive a comprehensive discharge package including histopathology report, surgical notes, medication list, and a follow-up plan your local oncologist can implement. Ongoing WhatsApp follow-up is available for questions after you return home.
What to Bring
All imaging on CD or digital format (CT, MRI, PET-CT scans), biopsy and histopathology reports, blood test results from the past 3 months, previous surgical notes or discharge summaries, a list of current medications with dosages, passport, travel insurance documents, and any relevant genetic test results.
Is the Quality Really Comparable?
This is the question I am asked most often — and it deserves a direct answer. The surgical techniques used at our centre are identical to those used at major cancer centres in the UK and USA. Fibula free-flap jaw reconstruction, TORS, intraoperative nerve monitoring, virtual surgical planning — these are not techniques specific to Western hospitals. They are performed here daily.
My own training was at Chris O'Brien Lifehouse in Sydney and the University of Pennsylvania — two of the world's most respected cancer institutions. My published outcomes data, available in peer-reviewed journals, reflects the same complication rates and survival outcomes reported by leading Western centres.
The difference is cost and waiting time — not quality.
Dr. Narayana Subramaniam
Consultation within 48 hours of arrival. Preliminary WhatsApp opinion within 24–48 hours before you travel. Full end-to-end coordination for international patients.
WhatsApp to StartReady to Explore Treatment in India?
Send your reports on WhatsApp — preliminary opinion and cost estimate within 24–48 hours. No obligation to proceed.