Apollo Proton Cancer Centre Launches Comprehensive Voice, Airway and Swallow Clinic (C-VASC) for Cancer Survivors
Chennai, June 2, 2026: Reinforcing the importance of survivorship care in cancer treatment, Apollo Proton Cancer Centre on Tuesday launched the Comprehensive Voice, Airway, and Swallow Clinic (C-VASC), a specialized rehabilitation programme designed to support patients recovering from head and neck cancers.
 |
| (2nd from Left) Dr Naveen Hedne, Senior Consultant - Head, Breast and Neck Surgical Oncology; (4th from Left) Dr Sapna Nangia, Director- Breast & Head and Neck, Dept. of Radiation Oncology; (5th from Left) Arathi Soman, Speech and Swallow Therapist along with the Patients |
The initiative, unveiled ahead of National Cancer Survivors Day on June 7, aims to provide comprehensive aftercare for individuals who have undergone cancer treatment and continue to face challenges related to speaking, swallowing, and breathing. The clinic seeks to improve recovery outcomes, restore confidence, and enhance the overall quality of life of cancer survivors.
Launch Youtube Video link ЁЯСЗ
India records nearly 14 lakh new cancer cases annually, with a significant proportion linked to tobacco use, including smoking and smokeless tobacco products. Head and neck cancers remain among the most common forms of the disease, often leaving survivors with long-term functional difficulties even after successful treatment. Experts note that issues such as speech impairment, swallowing disorders, and breathing difficulties frequently go untreated, leading to social isolation, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life.
C-VASC addresses this gap through a multidisciplinary approach that brings together head and neck surgical oncologists, radiation oncologists, ENT specialists, speech and swallow therapists, pulmonologists, dietitians, and rehabilitation experts under one roof. The clinic integrates advanced diagnostic technologies such as Laryngeal Stroboscopy and Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) to assess and manage voice and swallowing disorders.
The programme also offers specialized interventions including laser and microflap surgeries, tracheoesophageal voice restoration, airway rehabilitation, and personalized speech and swallowing therapy. By initiating rehabilitation support from the time of diagnosis, the clinic aims to ensure coordinated and patient-centred care throughout the cancer journey.
Speaking at the launch, Dr Sapna Nangia, Director – Breast and Head & Neck, Department of Radiation Oncology, Apollo Proton Cancer Centre, said cancer recovery extends beyond survival. She noted that the loss of the ability to speak, swallow, or communicate can significantly affect a patient's confidence, relationships, mental health, and overall well-being. The new clinic, she said, focuses on functional recovery alongside cancer treatment, enabling patients to regain independence and return to normal life with dignity.
Dr Naveen Hedne, Senior Consultant and Head & Neck Surgical Oncology, said the clinic combines advanced technology, clinical expertise, and teamwork to create one of India's most comprehensive voice and swallow rehabilitation systems. He emphasized that as the country's cancer burden continues to rise, healthcare must increasingly focus not only on curing disease but also on restoring patients' ability to live fully after treatment.
Highlighting the significance of survivorship care, Karan Puri, Chief Executive Officer of Apollo Proton Cancer Centre, said awareness should extend beyond cancer detection and treatment to include life after cancer. He described the Voice Clinic as an important step towards integrated healing and improving long-term quality of life for survivors.
The event also featured testimonies from survivors who benefited from specialized voice rehabilitation. A Catholic priest who recovered from vocal cord cancer shared how early diagnosis and timely treatment helped him preserve his voice and continue his ministry. A professional singer recounted overcoming a vocal polyp and successfully returning to stage performances after treatment and rehabilitation.
As part of its organ-preservation strategy, Apollo Proton Cancer Centre will also integrate advanced Proton Therapy and concurrent chemoradiation approaches for cancers of the larynx and pharynx. These treatments are designed to maximize tumour control while minimizing damage to healthy tissues, helping preserve speech, swallowing, and airway functions.
With Tamil Nadu witnessing a steady rise in cancer cases, the launch of C-VASC further strengthens Chennai's position as a leading centre for advanced oncology and rehabilitation-focused cancer care in South India.
****
