Over 2,300 oral cancer patients registered in a year at Ahmedabad Civil

In Gujarat, oral cancer cases are rising sharply, with 2,352 patients registered in a year at Ahmedabad’s Asarwa Civil Hospital, reflecting growing consumption of cigarettes and pan masala despite their known health risks. 

Of the total oral cancer patients registered, 1,931 were men and 421 were women. Oral cancer now accounts for about 19% of all cancer cases registered annually at the state-run hospital, as per the data.

The figures were shared ahead of World Cancer Day, observed on February 4.

 In 2025, the Civil Cancer Hospital registered more than 23,810 new cancer patients, highlighting a sustained rise in the patient load.

Of the total new registrations, 9,147 patients were from states outside Gujarat. Madhya Pradesh accounted for the highest number with 4,572 patients, followed by Rajasthan (2,678), Uttar Pradesh (1,094), Maharashtra (279) and Bihar (288), according to hospital data.

Officials said the hospital has expanded advanced treatment facilities in recent years. A record 50 robotic-assisted cancer surgeries have been performed in the last six months. In addition, 40 hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) procedures have been successfully carried out over the past three years.

HIPEC is a specialised procedure used for cancers that have spread within the abdominal cavity. Officials said the availability of this treatment has improved access to advanced cancer care for patients from Gujarat and neighbouring states.

Diagnostic services have also seen a sharp rise. The number of abdominal CT scans conducted at the hospital increased from 1,813 in 2021 to 6,333 in 2025, reflecting the growing caseload.

The cancer outpatient departments at the hospital currently handle more than 709 patients daily. In 2025 alone, over 2.59 lakh OPD registrations were recorded.

During the same period, the hospital performed more than 17,800 surgeries, including 50 bone marrow transplants. Treatment data also showed over 50,130 chemotherapy sessions, 5,852 radiation therapies and more than 24.60 lakh laboratory tests carried out during the year.