Dr. Anil K. D’Cruz
Experience: Over 35 years
Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals
New Delhi, India
Introduction
Dr. Anil K. D’Cruz is the Director of Oncology for Apollo Hospitals across Mumbai, Chennai, and Delhi. He treats complex head and neck cancers, including oral, laryngeal, thyroid, and salivary gland tumors, often focusing on preserving function (jaw, tongue, voice) or operating on cases deemed inoperable elsewhere.
About Dr. Anil K. D’Cruz
This isn’t just another senior surgical oncologist. Dr. Anil K. D’Cruz was the Director of Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai. Chief of Head and Neck Services there before that. First Indian to serve as President of the Union for International Cancer Control in Geneva, the largest cancer organisation in the world. And a Padma Shri recipient. That combination tells you the kind of career this is.
His landmark research on neck node management in oral cancer was published in the New England Journal of Medicine. He initiated India’s first super-specialty training course in Head and Neck Oncology, meaning a generation of head and neck surgeons in this country was trained under a system he built. His surgical philosophy centres on organ preservation. Protect appearance, speech, and swallowing wherever oncologically safe.
Qualifications
- MBBS.
- MS (General Surgery) — Mumbai University.
- DNB (General Surgery) — National Board of Examinations.
- FRCS (Honorary) — Royal College of Surgeons, London.
- Head and Neck Surgery Training — Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York.
- Laser Surgery Training — Vanderbilt University, USA.
Awards & Recognition
- Padma Shri from the Government of India.
- First Indian President of UICC Geneva (2020–2022).
- Former Director of Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai.
- The NEJM published research on neck node management in oral cancer.
- Over 250 peer-reviewed publications.
- Honorary FRCS from the Royal College of Surgeons, London.
- Trained at Memorial Sloan Kettering and Vanderbilt University.
Specialities & Expertise
- Oral cavity cancer surgery with organ preservation
- Laryngeal cancer management: preserving voice
- Thyroid and salivary gland tumour surgery
- Complex head and neck reconstruction
- Minimally invasive and laser cancer surgery
Patient Experience & Approach
Oral cancer patients say Dr. D’Cruz doesn’t default to removing the entire jaw when precise resection can clear the tumour while keeping bone and function intact. Laryngeal cancer patients mention that he explored every option to preserve the voice before discussing total removal. His Tata Memorial and Sloan Kettering volumes mean he has operated on cases most surgeons won’t see in a lifetime.