Head and neck cancers — especially oral cancers — affect tens of thousands of lives in India each year, often striking those in the most vulnerable communities. According to the American Joint Committee on Cancer, Stage III-IV , around 70% of oral cancers in India present at a locally advanced stage, often due to late diagnosis, socioeconomic disparities, and limited access to specialized care.
The second webinar in the Columbia HICCC Cancer Series, “Head and Neck Cancer: From Diagnosis to Therapy” brought together leading oncologists from India and the U.S. to explore comprehensive care strategies across every stage of the cancer journey. The series aims to facilitate knowledge exchange and promote research collaborations on different types of cancer between the two countries.
Columbia HICCC Cancer Series is organized by the Columbia Global Center Mumbai in partnership with Columbia University's Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center (HICCC) and with the support of Tata Memorial Centre, Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC), Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute & Research Centre (RGCIRC), Max Healthcare, Jupiter Hospital and Tata 1 mg.
The discussion covered the entire spectrum of care for advanced oral cancers from surgical management and adjuvant therapy to modern radiation therapy and palliative care. Dr. Sudhir Nair, head, surgical oncology, ACTREC emphasized the evolving role of surgery in advanced tumors once deemed inoperable, while Dr. Shwetabh Sinha, associate professor, radiation oncology, ACTREC underscored the importance of timely and tailored adjuvant radiation therapy for improved outcomes.
Drawing parallels between underserved populations in New York and urban India, Dr. Luqman Dad from Columbia HICCC highlighted the critical role of interdisciplinary care, patient navigation, and innovations like adaptive radiation therapy and AI-enabled treatment planning. He outlined opportunities for global collaboration, including trainee exchanges, co-development of clinical tools, and shared tumor board workflows. Dr. A.K. Dewan, Director, Surgical Oncology, RGCIRC focused on the pivotal role of palliative care in enhancing quality of life for patients with advanced disease, calling for greater attention to psychosocial support and patient-centered communication.
The session concluded with a call for collaborative research, educational exchanges, and future webinars—starting with a proposed session on liver cancer later this year. As Dr. Dad noted, “Survivorship begins at diagnosis. Holistic, coordinated care is essential to improving outcomes globally.”
Want to know more about the webinar? Read the detailed takeaways here.