The Northeast is witnessing a worrying rise in oesophageal cancer cases, with experts urging the adoption of advanced medical technologies to address the crisis. According to a recent Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) report, the region’s high tobacco consumption—48.2% among adults compared to the national average of 29%—is a key factor driving this surge. In Assam, the prevalence of oesophageal cancer is particularly alarming. Dibrugarh district records the highest proportion of cases at 15.7%, with 1 in 54 males at risk. Kamrup Urban follows closely with 14.3% (1 in 27 males), while Cachar reports an incidence rate of 11.6% (1 in 53 males). The lack of advanced medical infrastructure forces many patients to travel to other parts of the country for specialized treatment.
Renowned oncologists Dr. Surender Kumar Dabas and Dr. Bikram Kumar Deka emphasize the urgent need for advanced interventions like robotic-assisted surgery. Dr. Deka, Consultant – Surgical Oncology & Robotic Surgery at Max Hospitals, notes that despite gradual improvements, medical facilities in the Northeast remain inadequate. “PET scans, crucial for cancer diagnosis and staging, are not widely available, and innovative surgical technologies are underutilized,” he stated. Dr. Dabas, Vice Chairman & HOD – Surgical Oncology at Max Hospitals, advocates for the adoption of robotic-assisted surgery in the region. “Traditional oesophageal surgeries pose high risks and complications. Robotic-assisted procedures, using technologies like the da Vinci system, improve patient outcomes by reducing morbidity, ensuring faster recovery, and enabling quicker follow-up treatments,” he explained.
Experts also highlight dietary habits as a potential risk factor. Dr. Deka pointed to the high consumption of smoked meat and betel nut in the Northeast as possible contributors to the cancer burden, despite lower smoking and alcohol consumption compared to other states. Guwahati, as the medical hub of the Northeast, faces increasing pressure to upgrade its healthcare infrastructure. With a growing number of patients seeking treatment in private hospitals, the demand for cutting-edge cancer care is surging. Healthcare providers are now looking to integrate robotic-assisted surgery to cater to local and regional patients, reducing the need for expensive travel to metropolitan hospitals.