Cancer Hospitals in Kolkata

Kolkata is a large metropolis with a diverse population. The cultural diversity and vivid lifestyles make this city a representative sample of various socio-economic classes. These heterogeneous communities are diversified in case of health ailments, including cancer. Despite Kolkata having adequate diagnosis and oncology facilities, the recent data on cancer incidence and pattern of the disease in the city of Kolkata can alarm anyone at first glance.

Rise in Cancer Cases in Kolkata

According to Dr Suman Mallik, the clinical director and the Head of the Department of Radiation Oncology, Narayana Hospital Howrah, Kolkata, has witnessed a sudden surge in lung cancer cases at an alarming rate. Although head and neck cancer cases are coming down, cases of gastrointestinal cancers are at an all-time high. This pattern is linked to bad lifestyle habits, sedentary lifestyle, high consumption of alcohol, and a high-calorie diet.

Notable Types of Cancer Cases in Kolkata

The Narayana Hospital Howrah director has further said that breast cancer has become the most dominant cancer type among women in West Bengal. The frequency of cases can alarm anyone who notices the statistics. The disappointing truth is that 75-80% of the total cancer patients in West Bengal particularly relate to breast cancer among women. More deplorably, the majority of these women seek diagnosis and proper treatment only at the advanced stages. More to the fact, only 29% of cases are detected nationwide. A recent 2023 study by the ICMR has revealed 85% of breast, lung, and cervical cancers in India remain undetected in the first stage.

Moreover, Apollo Hospitals conducted another study on World Health Day 2024, revealing more alarming stats. The study showed almost 14 lakh Indian people had cancer in 2020, pointing towards an overall decline in the health of the Indian population. The report further says the number is expected to surge to 15.7 lakhs by 2025.

Fortunately, Kolkata is home to some pioneering cancer care centres, renowned for treating complex cancers even in advanced stages. Here are the seven best cancer hospitals in Kolkata.

Top 7 Cancer Hospitals in Kolkata

1. Calcutta Medical Research Institute

Establishment: 1969

Founder: Brij Mohan Birla

Number of Beds: 440

Overview:

The Calcutta Medical Research Institute, located at Diamond Harbour Road, Kolkata, is the flagship hospital of the prestigious CK Birla Group of Hospitals. It is one of the oldest cancer hospitals in Kolkata, West Bengal. The prominence of this multi-speciality hospital can be assessed by the fact that more than 250,000 successful surgeries have been accomplished here to date. Every year, the hospital treats more than 14,000 patients. Here are some of the salient features of this hospital:

• CMRI is India’s first institute to conduct a full-fledged course on cancer treatment affiliated with the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP), London.
• It is the first hospital in Eastern India to develop a tertiary eye care centre.
• This hospital is certified under the ISO 9001:2008 Quality Healthcare Service Delivery benchmark. Moreover, the CMRI and its path labs are NABH and NABL accredited. Likewise, the institute is affiliated with the College of American Pathologists (CAP), Illinois (US).
• The secret behind the hospital’s prominence is that it employs international protocols, guidelines, and care pathways to ensure the most desired clinical result as regards cancer treatment.
• The hospital recently collaborated with the LV Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, to open new avenues in research and training.

Address: 7, 2, Diamond Harbour Rd, New Alipore, Kolkata, West Bengal 700027

2. HCG EKO Cancer Centre

Establishment: 1989

Founder: Dr B.S. Ajaikumar

Number of Beds: 88

Overview:

HealthCare Global Enterprises Ltd owns the HCG EKO Cancer Centre of Kolkata. Dr B.S. Ajaikumar founded HCG EKO, one of Kolkata’s best cancer hospitals, in 1989. It aims to provide up-to-the-minute cancer treatment services in preventive, screening, diagnosis, second opinion, treatment, rehabilitation, follow-up, and palliative care. Here are some noteworthy features of this hospital:

• The hospital uses a comprehensive approach to oncology, surgical oncology, bone marrow transplant, PET-CT scan, radiotherapy, and medical oncology, all under one roof.
• The HCG EKO is the pioneer of India's first Radixact Radiation Machine, which performs Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) with high precision.
• The hospital has special accommodation and transportation facilities for accompanying compassionate visit relatives for the outstation patients.
• All the advanced treatment procedures at the HCG EKO hospital are conducted according to the NABH Guidelines 2016.

Address: DG Block(Newtown), Action Area I, Newtown, Chakpachuria, New Town, West Bengal 700156

3. Ruby General Hospital

Establishment: 1995

Founder: Dr Kamal K. Dutta

Number of Beds: 396

Overview:

Ruby General Hospital was inaugurated by the former Chief Minister of West Bengal, Jyoti Basu, in 1995. Shortly after Her Reverence, Mother Teresa inaugurated its cardiac care unit. The multispecialty hospital is NABH-accredited and certified under the ISO 9001:2008 benchmark. Here are some of the key highlights of this tertiary cancer care centre:

• Ruby General Hospital is widely acclaimed for performing diverse and major complicated surgeries, such as cardiothoracic and complex cancer surgeries, using advanced procedures with precision.
• Due to its continuous progress in cardiac and cancer surgery, Ruby General has recently been recognised as the ‘Best Multispecialty Hospital’ at the prestigious ‘Healthcare Achievers Award 2023.’
• The hospital provides quality treatment and outpatient services to 350 to 400 patients daily.
• Out of the total 278 beds in the hospital, 75 beds are reserved for emergency and critical cancer care patients.
• Equipped with cutting-edge technology and hi-tech equipment, the hospital offers avant-garde radiology and radiotherapy services.
• Additionally, the hospital is acclaimed for its 24/7 commitment to emergency services, Ambulance, Trauma Care, Pathology, and dispensary.

Address: 576, Anandapur Main Rd, Golpark, Sector I, Kasba, Kolkata, West Bengal 700107

4. Manipal Hospital, Dhakuria

Establishment: 1996

Founder: Dr. H. Sudershan Ballal

Number of Beds: 425

Overview:

Manipal Hospital, previously known as the Advanced Medical Research Institute (AMRI), has four separate branches in Greater Kolkata— Dhakuria, Salt Lake, Mukundapur, and Southern Avenue. Out of these, the Dhakuria branch is well-known for its cutting-edge oncology department. Here’s why it is one of the top 10 cancer hospitals in Kolkata:

• The oncology department of Manipal Dhakuria has a dedicated team committed to combating cancer with expertise and compassion. The entire team uses a patient-centric approach to treating cancer therapeutically and emotionally.
• Besides, the hospital follows a holistic development model. This NABH & NABL accredited cancer hospital in Kolkata is a proud holder of GreenOT certification. Moreover, it was conferred the title of “Best Hospital in Bio-waste Management” in 2010.
• The Manipal Group of Hospitals in Kolkata has conducted more than 15,000 successful surgeries and has completely cured around 3.5 lakh patients annually.
• The emergency and critical care department is well-equipped with advanced treatment facilities. Its dedicated staff works 24/7 for the patients.

Address: BLOCK-A, C.I.T Scheme, P-4&5, Gariahat Rd, Dhakuria, LXXII, Kolkata, West Bengal 700029

5. Apollo Gleneagles Hospital

Establishment: 2003

Founder: Dr. Prathap C. Reddy

Number of Beds: 700

This super speciality hospital was established in 2003 after the joint venture of two healthcare giants—Apollo Hospitals and Parkway Group, which is a part of the great humanitarian foundation İnsan Hak ve Hürriyetleri ve İnsani Yardım Vakfı (IHH). Apollo Gleneagles is one of Asia's most prestigious multi-speciality hospitals. Besides, it is famous as the most reliable free cancer hospital in Kolkata. Here are the salient features of this hospital:

• The oncology department of Apollo Gleneagles is known for successfully curing several complex cancer cases, even in the advanced stages, through medical, surgical, and radiotherapy.
• Commando surgery for head & neck cancer— This is one of the most complicated surgeries performed by the team of this hospital successfully
• Some of the most pathbreaking cancer surgeries done by Apollo Gleneagles are:
• Whipple’s surgery for pancreatic cancer,
• Major colorectal surgeries,
• Liver resection surgery,
• Conservative breast surgery and
• Series of Senital lymph-node biopsies.
• The oncology department also has a separate BMT (Bone Marrow Transplant) unit. This BWT unit has performed numerous BMTs so far with a success rate of 100%.
• Most notably, the hospital has developed a pioneering technique to treat genetic cancer cases. The technique is known as genetic profiling protocol, through which the Apollo Gleneagles team has successfully cured different genetic cancers of the lung, colon, breast, lymph-sarcomas, leukaemias, and head & neck.

Address: 58, Canal Circular Rd, Kadapara, Phool Bagan, Kankurgachi, Kolkata, West Bengal 700054

6. Fortis Hospital, Anandapur, Kolkata

Establishment: 2011

Founder: Dr. Shivaji Basu

Number of Beds: 330 to 338

Fortis Healthcare Limited is known worldwide as India's leading integrated healthcare giant. The Kolkata branch of this prominent healthcare provider was established in 1997 by Dr Shivaji Basu, currently the hospital's Director of Urology. The lady who laid the foundation stone was Her Reverence, Mother Teresa. In 2011, the hospital opened another super-speciality facility in the Anandapur region of Kolkata. The hospital’s healthcare verticals mainly include diagnostics and daycare speciality facilities. The salient features of this hospital are given below:

• This 10-storied, 300-bed (230+ operational) super-speciality hospital sprawls 3 lakh square feet.
• The hospital employs the latest cutting-edge technologies for cancer treatment, making it a leader in oncology.
• Fortis Hospital, Kolkata, is a multi-speciality hospital offering its patients a broad spectrum of advanced procedures for cancer treatments.
• It is the best hospital for cancer in Kolkata because it has a 24/7 casualty and emergency service facility, including a trauma centre, critical care ambulance, and blood bank
• The hospital also has a dedicated catheterisation laboratory, diet counselling centre, physiotherapy and rehabilitation unit, and microbiological laboratory.

Address: 730, Eastern Metropolitan Bypass Rd, Anandapur, East Kolkata Twp, Kolkata, West Bengal 700107

7. Narayana Multispeciality Hospital, Howrah

Establishment: 2004

Founder: Dr. Devi Prasad Shetty

Number of Beds: 160

Established in 2004, Narayana Multispeciality Hospital, located in Kolkata, is a multi-speciality hospital offering patients a broad spectrum of advanced medical treatments. Narayana Multispeciality Hospital offers state-of-the-art infrastructure and is technologically up-to-date.

• It has a great team of qualified doctors available around the clock and emergency services. Staff members make sure patients are given the best medical care.
• Narayana Multispeciality Hospital consists of an experienced team of skilled professionals who aim to provide quality healthcare in every medical department.
• In 2015, Narayana was conferred the Public Health Champion Award under the category of Innovation by WHO India.

Address: Podrah, Near Chunabati, Andul Road, Howrah, West Bengal - 711109

So, these are the top seven cancer hospitals in Kolkata that are well-known nationwide for their highly progressive cancer treatment facilities and equally dynamic teams of surgeons and doctors.