About Dr. Vijay Pillai
Dr. Vijay Pillai is a leading Head & Neck Surgical Oncologist in Bangalore, India, with over 14 years of dedicated experience in treating cancers of the oral cavity, thyroid, larynx and salivary glands. He is recognised for advanced microvascular reconstruction and minimally invasive oncological surgery.
- 14+ years of specialised experience in Head & Neck Surgical Oncology
- Fellowship in Head & Neck Surgical Oncology from RGUHS; AO Fellow
- 50+ peer-reviewed publications; international research citations
- 2nd rank holder in post-graduation; graduated with honours
- Treats international patients from 25+ countries across Africa, the Gulf and South Asia
Qualifications & Credentials
Medical Degrees
- MBBS (with BDS) — Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education
- MDS (Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery) — AB Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences, Mangalore
- MD (ECFMG Certified)
Fellowships & Special Training
- Fellowship in Head and Neck Surgical Oncology — Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS), Bangalore
- AO Fellow (Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen) — Craniomaxillofacial
- Special training in microvascular surgery and head and neck reconstruction
Certifications & Accreditations
- Karnataka Medical Council / Medical Council of India Registration
- Dental Council of India Registration (BDS)
- ECFMG Certification
- Indian Society of Thyroid Surgeons — Member
Areas of Expertise
Major Conditions Treated
- Oral Cavity Cancer (Tongue, Buccal Mucosa, Lip)
- Oropharyngeal Cancer
- Laryngeal & Hypopharyngeal Cancer
- Thyroid Cancer (Papillary, Follicular, Medullary, Anaplastic)
- Salivary Gland Tumours (Parotid, Submandibular)
- Parathyroid Adenoma
- Sinonasal Tumours
- Skull Base Tumours
- Head and Neck Soft Tissue Sarcoma
- Recurrent Head and Neck Cancers
Sub-specialties
- Head and Neck Surgical Oncology: Comprehensive treatment of oral, laryngeal and sinonasal cancers — a top head and neck cancer doctor in Bangalore, India for international patients.
- Microvascular Reconstruction: Free-flap reconstruction for complex head and neck defects following tumour resection.
- Thyroid & Parathyroid Surgery: Radio-guided minimally invasive parathyroidectomy and thyroid cancer surgery with voice-preservation techniques.
Advanced Procedures & Treatments
- Radical & Modified Radical Neck Dissection
- Total & Hemi-Thyroidectomy
- Radio-Guided Minimally Invasive Parathyroidectomy
- Partial & Total Laryngectomy
- Parotidectomy (Superficial & Total) with Facial Nerve Preservation
- Microvascular Free-Flap Reconstruction (Fibula, Radial Forearm, Anterolateral Thigh)
- Endoscopic Sinonasal Tumour Surgery
- Transoral Robotic Surgery (TORS) — where indicated
- Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy
- Salvage Surgery for Recurrent Head and Neck Cancer
Professional Experience
Current Affiliation
- Mazumdar Shaw Cancer Center, Narayana Health, Bangalore — Consultant, Head and Neck Surgical Oncology and Reconstructive Surgery (Present)
Past Affiliations
- Mazumdar Shaw Cancer Centre, Bangalore — Senior Registrar (past)
- AJ Hospital and Research Centre, Mangalore — Consultant (past)
Academic & Research Roles
- Consultant Faculty — Head and Neck Surgical Oncology, Mazumdar Shaw Cancer Centre
- Research Collaborator with Tata Memorial Centre, King's College London, and international head and neck oncology groups
Key Achievements
- 14+ years of dedicated head and neck surgical oncology experience
- 482+ citations on Google Scholar / ResearchGate
- 50+ peer-reviewed publications in national and international journals
- 2nd rank holder in post-graduation; graduated with honours
- Treats international patients from 25+ countries
Awards & Recognitions
National & International Awards
- Graduated with Honours — Kasturba Medical College, Manipal
- 2nd Rank Holder — MDS Post-graduation
- AO Fellowship — International Craniomaxillofacial Training
Professional Memberships
- Foundation of Head and Neck Oncology (FHNO)
- Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons of India (AOMSI)
- International Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (IAOMS)
- AOCMF (AO Craniomaxillofacial)
- Indian Society of Thyroid Surgeons
Research & Publications
Published Papers (Selected)
- Pillai V et al. "Radio-guided Minimally Invasive Parathyroidectomy: A Descriptive Report of the Experience from Tertiary Center in Bangalore." Indian Journal of Surgical Oncology.
- Pillai V et al. "Improving Bethesda Reporting in Thyroid Cytology: A Team Effort Goes a Long Way." Journal of Cytology.
- Subramaniam N, Pillai V et al. Multiple publications on oral cavity cancer outcomes, sentinel lymph node biopsy, and survival analysis in head and neck oncology.
- 50+ additional publications in Oral Oncology, Head & Neck, Journal of Surgical Oncology, and Indian Journal of Otolaryngology.
Ongoing Research & Clinical Interests
- Oral cavity cancer — surgical margins and survival outcomes
- Sentinel lymph node biopsy in head and neck cancer
- Microvascular reconstruction outcomes
- Minimally invasive parathyroidectomy
- Thyroid cancer molecular diagnostics
Estimated Treatment Costs
| Procedure / Consultation | Estimated Cost (INR) | Estimated Cost (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Surgical Oncology Consultation | ₹800 – ₹2,000 | $10 – $24 |
| Total Thyroidectomy | ₹1,50,000 – ₹3,00,000 | $1,800 – $3,600 |
| Radical Neck Dissection | ₹2,00,000 – ₹4,00,000 | $2,400 – $4,800 |
| Laryngectomy (Total) with Reconstruction | ₹3,50,000 – ₹6,50,000 | $4,200 – $7,800 |
| Oral Cancer Surgery with Free-Flap Reconstruction | ₹4,00,000 – ₹8,00,000 | $4,800 – $9,600 |
| Parotidectomy with Facial Nerve Preservation | ₹1,50,000 – ₹3,00,000 | $1,800 – $3,600 |
| Minimally Invasive Parathyroidectomy | ₹1,20,000 – ₹2,50,000 | $1,450 – $3,000 |
*Indicative estimates only. Actual costs subject to hospital pricing, case complexity, and insurance. Contact Cancer Rounds for a personalised quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What advanced technologies does Dr. Vijay Pillai use in Surgical Oncologist treatment?
Dr. Vijay Pillai uses advanced techniques including radio-guided minimally invasive parathyroidectomy, microvascular free-flap reconstruction, transoral robotic surgery (TORS), endoscopic sinonasal tumour surgery, sentinel lymph node biopsy and voice-preservation laryngeal surgery — offering world-class head and neck cancer treatment in Bangalore, India. Virtual consultations are available for international patients.
2. What conditions does Dr. Vijay Pillai specialize in treating?
Dr. Vijay Pillai specialises in oral cavity cancer, oropharyngeal and laryngeal cancer, thyroid and parathyroid diseases, salivary gland tumours, sinonasal tumours, skull base tumours and recurrent head and neck cancers — making him a leading head and neck cancer specialist in Bangalore, India for complex cases.
3. How do I book an appointment with Dr. Vijay Pillai?
Appointments with Dr. Vijay Pillai can be booked directly through the Cancer Rounds website or by contacting their international patient department for priority scheduling.
4. Can international patients receive treatment from Dr. Vijay Pillai?
Yes. Cancer Rounds provides full assistance for international patients seeking treatment from Dr. Vijay Pillai, including medical visa invitation letters, airport transfers, and local accommodation coordination.
5. What support is available for international patients?
International patients benefit from a dedicated concierge service provided by Cancer Rounds, including language interpretation, financial counselling, and pre-travel virtual consultations to review medical records before arrival.
6. Does Dr. Vijay Pillai offer second opinions for Surgical Oncologist cases?
Yes. Second opinion consultations can be arranged via Cancer Rounds for patients who wish to review their diagnosis or treatment plan with an expert head and neck surgical oncologist in Bangalore, India.
Fortis Hospital, Bangalore, Bannerghatta Road - India
