Dr. Vishal Rao

Dr. Vishal Rao is the Group Director of Head & Neck Surgical Oncology and Robotic Surgery at HCG Cancer Centre, Bengaluru. He is a highly experienced head and neck cancer surgeon with expertise in treating both benign and malignant tumors affecting the oral cavity, thyroid, voice box, neck, parotid, and salivary glands. Renowned for his expertise in minimally invasive and robotic surgical techniques, Dr. Rao is also a pioneer in cancer prevention, tobacco control, and medical innovation. His patient-centered approach combines advanced technology with compassionate care to deliver the best possible outcomes.

Expertise

• Head & Neck Surgical Oncology
• Robotic Head & Neck Surgery
• Minimally Invasive Head & Neck Cancer Surgery
• Oral Cavity Cancer Surgery
• Thyroid Cancer Surgery
• Laryngeal (Voice Box) Cancer Surgery
• Parotid & Salivary Gland Tumor Surgery
• Radical & Modified Neck Dissection
• Carotid Body & Vascular Tumor Surgery
• Parapharyngeal Space Tumor Surgery
• Laser Surgery for Head & Neck Cancers
• Cancer Prevention & Tobacco Control Programs

Training & Certifications

• Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons (FRCS), Glasgow
• Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS), USA
• Member of the Royal Society of Medicine
• Specialized training in Minimally Invasive Head & Neck Surgical Oncology with Robotic and Laser Surgery
• Fellowship in Head & Neck Oncology from Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai

Recognition

• Inventor of the Aum Voice Prosthesis, an affordable speaking device for throat cancer patients recognized among the world's top social healthcare innovations.
• Holds more than 18 patents related to medical devices, cancer care innovations, and healthcare technologies.
• Recipient of the Honorary FRCS from the Royal College of Surgeons, Glasgow.
• Recipient of the Judy Wilkenfeld Award for Global Excellence in Tobacco Control.
• International Advisor to the World Health Organization (WHO) Tobacco Free Initiative.
• Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Precision Oncology.
• Author of more than 100 national and international scientific publications.
• Member of several prestigious organizations including UICC Globalink, FHNO, ACT India, and Karnataka Government Committees for Cancer & Tobacco Control.
• Visiting Faculty for Leadership Programs at Johns Hopkins University.
• Recipient of the Kempegowda Award, Varshada Kannadiga Award, and Rotary Vocational Training Award.
• Chair of the Karnataka Government Biotech Ethics Committee and Member of the ICMR Ethics Committee.

Research & Publications

• Role of Adjuvant Radiotherapy in Early Stage Tongue Cancer: Need for Establishing Stringent Guidelines. Indian Journal of Surgical Oncology, 2021.
• COVID-19 Associated Mucormycosis (CAM) in India: A Formidable Challenge. British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 2021.
• Transoral Retroauricular Neck Dissection (TREND): A Novel Combination Approach. International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 2021.
• Decreased Cancer Consultations in the COVID-19 Era: A Concern for Delay in Early Cancer Diagnosis in India. JCO Global Oncology, 2021.
• Selective Embolization of Lingual Artery in Transoral Robotic Surgery for Recurrent Base of Tongue Carcinomas. Head & Neck, 2021.
• Are Carcinogens Electron Acceptors? A Novel Hypothesis. Medical Hypotheses, 2020.
• Circulating Tumour Cells in Head and Neck Cancers: Biological Insights. Journal of Oral Pathology & Medicine, 2020.
• COVID-19: Loss of Bridging Between Innate and Adaptive Immunity? Medical Hypotheses, 2020.
• The E-cigarette Ban in India – A Step in the Right Direction? Journal of Oral Pathology & Medicine, 2020.
• Carotid Body Tumours: Objective Criteria to Predict the Shamblin Group on MR Imaging. American Journal of Neuroradiology, 2008.