Rameez Makdoomi
Srinagar, August 23, 2025 — By Rameez Makhdoomi
In a remarkable medical achievement, the Department of Head and Neck Cancer and Robotic Surgery at Fortis Hospital Mohali has successfully treated a 54-year-old woman diagnosed with Stage 4 Tongue Cancer, giving her a new lease of life.
At a press conference in Srinagar, Dr. Kuldeep Thakur, Consultant, Head and Neck Onco-surgery, Fortis Mohali, said that the patient had presented with a non-healing wound on the tip of her tongue, severe difficulty in chewing food, and speech deformity. A biopsy and MRI confirmed an advanced tumour involving nearly 40% of the tongue.
Dr. Thakur performed a complex surgery involving the resection of almost 60% of the anterior tongue along with neck dissection. Remarkably, the surgery was carried out without any facial incision, and the defect was reconstructed using skin harvested from the patient’s hand. The patient recovered smoothly, was discharged within five days, and later underwent radiation therapy. Final reports confirmed complete removal of the tumour, and she is now leading a normal life.
Highlighting the importance of specialized care, Dr. Thakur stated, “A head and neck cancer surgeon and a specialist onco-reconstructive surgeon can ensure the best outcomes, from tumour removal to rehabilitation.”
Dr. Thakur, who has performed over 1,300 complex surgeries including robotic procedures, emphasized that advanced techniques are helping cancer patients regain quality of life.
Fortis Healthcare, one of India’s largest healthcare providers with 27 facilities and 4,100 operational beds, continues to push boundaries in oncology care, backed by global expertise from its parent company, IHH Healthcare Berhad.
Author
The Kashmir Dialogues
