Dr. Karthik N. Rao | Head & Neck Oncologist in Bengaluru | Sri Shankara Cancer Hospital & Research Centre
Dr. Karthik N Rao, Consultant and HOD of Head and Neck Oncology at Sri Shankara Cancer Hospital

Dr. Karthik N. Rao

MBBS, MS, MCh (Head Neck Surgery and Oncology), FHNS, FACS, FAHNS, eFASCO, DEBEORLHNS

Consultant & HOD

8 years of experience
Book Appointment

Professional Overview

Dr. Karthik N. Rao is Consultant and Head, Department of Head and Neck Surgical Oncology. He is a gold medalist in MS (Otorhinolaryngology) and M.Ch (Head and Neck Surgery and Oncology) from AIIMS, trained at Tata Memorial Hospital and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS), American Head and Neck Society (FAHNS), and a Diplomate of the European Board of Otorhinolaryngology. With over 8 years of clinical experience, he specializes in complex head and neck cancer surgeries, skull base procedures, and reconstructive oncology.

He serves as International Co-Chair of the Skull Base Section of AHNS and is Editor at Scientific Reports (Nature). He has authored 98 PubMed-indexed publications, 11 textbook chapters, and edited the Atlas of Head, Neck, and Skull Base Surgery. His clinical and research focus includes AI in oncology, collaborative trials, and surgical innovation, with a strong commitment to advancing global standards in head and neck cancer care.

Research Publications

1. The tongue may not move, but the voice will: preoperative AI voice cloning for identity preservation in major glossectomy — a prospective feasibility study

Authors: Dange PS, Rao KN, Kumareshwar TV, Shetty T, Kapahtia R, Chaitanya K, et al.

Journal: Front Oncol

Published: 2026

Additional Details: 16. DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2026.1915964

2. Node deposit size index as morphometric marker of intranodal tumour burden in node-positive oral cancer: a hypothesis-generating cohort study

Authors: Rao KN, Shetty T, Velusamy S, Dange P, Sreeram MP, Srinath BS

Journal: Front Oncol

Published: 2026

Additional Details: 16. DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2026.1923931

3. Indocyanine Green Fluorescence-Guided Surgery for Margin Assessment in Oral Cancer: A Feasibility Study

Authors: Sreeram MP, Rao KN, Kapahtia R, Shetty TS, Hari PS, Srinath B, et al.

Journal: Indian J Surg Oncol

Published: 2026

Additional Details: 17(8):1796–1806. DOI: 10.1007/s13193-025-02488-1

4. Immunotherapeutic Approaches to Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Current Clinical Practice and Future Directions

Authors: Bradford CR, Sreeram MP, Rao KN, Guntinas-Lichius O, Saba N, Ferlito A

Journal: Head Neck

Published: 2026

Additional Details: 48(9):2584–2592. DOI: 10.1002/hed.70385

5. Non-Metastatic Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Oropharynx: Primary Surgery or (Chemo)radiotherapy?

Authors: Strojan P, Eisbruch A, Corry J, Nuyts S, de Graaf P, Kowalski LP, et al.

Journal: Head Neck

Published: 2026

Additional Details: 48(9):2541–2556. DOI: 10.1002/hed.70356

6. Transoral Robotic Surgery in Head and Neck Oncology: A Scoping Review of Evidence, Technological Advancements, and Future Trajectories

Authors: Araújo ALD, Rao KN, Rodrigo JP, Poorten VV, Guntinas-Lichius O, Ferlito A, et al.

Journal: J Surg Oncol

Published: 2026

Additional Details: DOI: 10.1002/jso.70353

7. A systematic review of international/national guidelines for the management of nasopharyngeal carcinoma: Convergence and divergence of recommendations

Authors: Liu Q, Handoko, Li JS, Guo QJ, Lopez F, Strojan P, et al.

Journal: Cancer

Published: 2026

Additional Details: 132(18):e70604. DOI: 10.1002/cncr.70604

8. Expanding Head and Neck Surgical Services in East Africa through Innovative Training Initiatives

Authors: Robbins KT, Fagan J, Senyonjo D, Okerosi S, Chussi D, Rao KN, et al.

Journal: Oncol Ther

Published: 2026

Additional Details: 14(1):1–8. DOI: 10.1007/s40487-025-00414-7

9. Complications of Thyroid Surgery

Authors: Mestry V, Rao KN, Pai PS

Journal: Controversies in Cancer of the Thyroid and Parathyroid Glands

Published: 2026

Additional Details: 211–230. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-032-13130-0_11

10. Harnessing Artificial Intelligence in Head and Neck Oncology Practice: Data, Diagnosis, and Therapy

Authors: Rao KN, Kirsch CFE, Mahmood H, Simon C

Journal: Otolaryngol Clin North Am

Published: 2026

Additional Details: 59(1):271–289. DOI: 10.1016/j.otc.2025.09.003

11. Elective neck dissection in clinically early stage (cT1-T2N0) supraglottic squamous cell carcinomas: a systematic review

Authors: Rodrigo JP, López F, Kowalski LP, Guntinas-Lichius O, Vilaseca I, Poorten VV, et al.

Journal: Surg Oncol

Published: 2026

Additional Details: 67:102484. DOI: 10.1016/j.suronc.2026.102484

12. Hindi and Marathi Translation and Validation of the Neck Dissection Impairment Index: A Quality-of-Life Measure

Authors: Vaish R, Prabhu R, Rao K, Kannan S, Landge P, Sakpal M, et al.

Journal: Indian J Surg Oncol

Published: 2026

Additional Details: DOI: 10.1007/s13193-026-02647-y

13. Free Anterolateral Thigh Flap for Salvage Reconstruction After PMMC Flap Failure in a Composite Buccal Defect

Authors: Kapahtia R, Rao K, Dange P, Shetty T, Srinath BS

Journal: J Maxillofac Oral Surg

Published: 2026

Additional Details: DOI: 10.1007/s12663-026-03128-z

14. Prognostic Impact of MYC/TP63 Molecular Subtypes in Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma: A Meta-Analysis

Authors: Rao KN, Dange P, Sreeram MP, Coca-Pelaz A, Stenman G, Ferrarotto R, et al.

Journal: Cancers (Basel)

Published: 2026

Additional Details: 18(9):1426. DOI: 10.3390/cancers18091426

15. Strategies and successes of smoking cessation methods in head and neck cancer patients: a systematic review

Authors: Vander Poorten V, Van Rossum J, Roosens M, Nuyts S, Bradford CR, Rodrigo JP, et al.

Journal: Cancer Metastasis Rev

Published: 2026

Additional Details: 45(2):41. DOI: 10.1007/s10555-026-10348-9

16. Lymph Node Metastasis in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Evolving Prognostic Markers, Molecular Insights, and Implications for Precision Staging

Authors: Coca-Pelaz A, Hanna EY, Guntinas-Lichius O, Kowalski LP, Rodrigo JP, Takes RP, et al.

Journal: Diagnostics (Basel)

Published: 2026

Additional Details: 16(6):855. DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics16060855

17. Precision Diagnosis in Cutaneous Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Authors: Asarkar AA, Kattar N, Rao KN, Rinaldo A, Sreeram MP, Bree ED, et al.

Journal: Biomedicines

Published: 2026

Additional Details: 14(3):556. DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines14030556

18. Selection Criteria for De-Escalated Chemoradiotherapy for HPV-Related Oropharyngeal Cancer Based on Prognostic Biomarkers or Early Tumor Response to Therapy: A Narrative Review

Authors: Eisbruch A, Sreeram MP, Rao K, Agaimy A, Kowalski LP, Pelaz AC, et al.

Journal: Diagnostics (Basel)

Published: 2026

Additional Details: 16(5):674. DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics16050674

19. Quantitative Imaging Advances in HPV-Positive Oropharyngeal Carcinoma

Authors: Farrell D, Bahig H, Khor R, Kowalski LP, de Bree R, Eisbruch A, et al.

Journal: Cancers (Basel)

Published: 2026

Additional Details: 18(2):303. DOI: 10.3390/cancers18020303

20. Artificial Intelligence Approaches to Predict Postoperative Length of Hospital Stay in Head and Neck Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review

Authors: Silva WN, Araújo ALD, Sanabria A, Hajjar LA, Rodrigo JP, Rao KN, et al.

Journal: Diagnostics (Basel)

Published: 2026

Additional Details: 16(2):263. DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics16020263

21. Clinical and Functional Outcomes of ZIP Flaps in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Authors: Kapahtia R, Dange P, Rao KN, Rao SG, Srinath BS

Journal: Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg

Published: 2026

Additional Details: 78(1):289–296. DOI: 10.1007/s12070-025-06123-x

22. Predicting Reintubation in Postoperative Pediatric Cardiac Surgery: A Machine Learning Approach

Authors: Harish S, Prasannasimha P, Prabhakar V, Singh NG, Lakshmi S, Rao KN

Journal: Ann Card Anaesth

Published: 2026

Additional Details: 29(1):72–80. DOI: 10.4103/aca.aca_62_25

23. Reply to Borewad et al. Comment on "Rao et al. The Oncological Outcome of Postoperative Radiotherapy in Patients with Node-Negative Early-Stage (T1/T2/N0) Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Perineural Invasion: A Meta-Analysis. Cancers 2025, 17, 862"

Authors: Sreeram MP, Rao KN, de Bree R, Mendenhall WM, Strojan P, Stenman G, et al.

Journal: Cancers (Basel)

Published: 2026

Additional Details: 18(11):1778. DOI: 10.3390/cancers18111778

24. Radiosensitizing Strategies in Locally Advanced Head and Neck Cancer: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials (RADIANCE-NMA)

Authors: Sreeram MP, Dange P, Rao KN, Harrington KJ, Vermorken JB, Forastiere A, et al.

Journal: SSRN

Published: 2026

Additional Details: DOI: 10.2139/ssrn.6441013

25. The Oncological Outcome of Postoperative Radiotherapy in Patients with Node-Negative Early-Stage (T1/T2/N0) Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Perineural Invasion: A Meta-Analysis

Authors: Rao KN, Sreeram MP, de Bree R, Mendenhall WM, Strojan P, Stenman G, et al.

Journal: Cancers (Basel)

Published: 2025

Additional Details: 17(5):862. DOI: 10.3390/cancers17050862

26. Targeted Screening Strategies for Head and Neck Cancer: A Global Review of Evidence, Technologies, and Cost-Effectiveness

Authors: Guntinas-Lichius O, Bücking C, Ng SP, López F, Rodrigo JP, Rao KN, et al.

Journal: Diagnostics (Basel)

Published: 2025

Additional Details: 15(16):2095. DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics15162095

27. Micrometastasis and Isolated Tumor Cells in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Refining Nodal Staging with Emerging Technologies

Authors: Sreeram MP, Rao KN, Thompson LDR, Rodrigo JP, de Bree R, Stenman G, et al.

Journal: Head Neck Pathol

Published: 2025

Additional Details: 19(1):106. DOI: 10.1007/s12105-025-01839-2

28. Patterns of Lateral Lymph Node Involvement by Neck Level in cNIb Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Authors: Hartl DM, Rao KN, Coca Pelaz A, Rinaldo A, Zafereo ME, Randolph GW, et al.

Journal: Diagnostics (Basel)

Published: 2025

Additional Details: 15(20):2613. DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics15202613

29. Bayesian Monte Carlo Simulation Based on Systematic Review for Personalized Risk Stratification of Contralateral Lymph Node Metastasis in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Authors: Rao KN, Sreeram MP, Dange P, Pelaz AC, Piazza C, Bree RD, et al.

Journal: Diagnostics (Basel)

Published: 2025

Additional Details: 15(21):2668. DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics15212668

30. The Value of Circulating Tumor HPV DNA in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Cancer: A Review

Authors: Dok R, Nuyts S, Lopez F, Bradford C, Forastiere AA, Strojan P, et al.

Journal: Diagnostics (Basel)

Published: 2025

Additional Details: 15(21):2708. DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics15212708

31. Head and Neck Cancer Salvage Surgery in the Era of Immunotherapy and Beyond: A Review

Authors: Saba NF, Zalaquett NG, Rashid S, Rao KN, Takes RP, Bradford C, et al.

Journal: JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg

Published: 2025

Additional Details: 151(11):1091–1097. DOI: 10.1001/jamaoto.2025.3204

32. Prognostic Value of Primary Total Glossectomy in Tongue Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Survival Outcomes

Authors: Sreeram MP, Dange P, Rao KN, Kowalski LP, de Bree R, Guntinas-Lichius O, et al.

Journal: Diagnostics (Basel)

Published: 2025

Additional Details: 15(22):2847. DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics15222847

33. From Radical Resection to Precision Surgery: Integrating Diagnostic Biomarkers, Radiomics-Based Predictive Models, and Perioperative Systemic Therapy in Head and Neck Oncology

Authors: Kowalski LP, Bradford CR, Beitler JJ, Rodrigo JP, Guntinas-Lichius O, Ambrosch P, et al.

Journal: Diagnostics (Basel)

Published: 2025

Additional Details: 16(1):49. DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics16010049

34. Radiomic-Based Machine Learning Classifiers for HPV Status Prediction in Oropharyngeal Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Authors: Araújo ALD, Kowalski LP, Santos-Silva AR, Louredo BVR, Saldivia-Siracusa C, de Melo OAAM, et al.

Journal: Diagnostics (Basel)

Published: 2025

Additional Details: 16(1):68. DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics16010068

35. Predicting the Unpredictable: An Artificial Neural Network Model for Early Identification of Free Flap Reexploration in Oral Cancer Reconstruction

Authors: Kapahtia R, Rao K, Srinath BS

Journal: Indian J Plast Surg

Published: 2025

Additional Details: 58(S 1):A175. DOI: 10.1055/s-0045-1813437

36. Biomaterial-Based Hemostasis: A Review of the Clinical and Functional Versatility of Oxidized Regenerated Cellulose

Authors: Kanagal D, Rao K, Gathoga P, Moharana K, Patil R, Jaiswal P, et al.

Journal: Cureus

Published: 2025

Additional Details: 17(10):e94602. DOI: 10.7759/cureus.94602

37. Global Incidence and Mortality of Myocardial Infarction in Multi-Modality Head and Neck Cancer Treatment: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Authors: Asarkar AA, Vasudevan SS, Fernandez-Alvarez V, Vermorken JB, Álvarez FL, Rao KN, et al.

Journal: Adv Ther

Published: 2025

Additional Details: 42(10):4768–4796. DOI: 10.1007/s12325-025-03314-4

38. The Limitations of Artificial Intelligence in Head and Neck Oncology

Authors: Rao KN, Fernandez-Alvarez V, Guntinas-Lichius O, Sreeram MP, de Bree R, Kowalski LP, et al.

Journal: Adv Ther

Published: 2025

Additional Details: 42(6):2559–2568. DOI: 10.1007/s12325-025-03198-4

39. Superficial Ulnar Artery Mimicking the Radial Artery During Radial Forearm Free Flap Harvest: A Surgical Pitfall and its Intraoperative Identification - A Case Report

Authors: Kapahtia R, Dange P, Rao KN, Sreeram MP, Srinath BS

Journal: Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg

Published: 2025

Additional Details: 77(5):2157–2160. DOI: 10.1007/s12070-025-05457-w

40. Evidence Based Recommendations in Sinonasal Tumors Involving Orbit: Preservation or Exenteration? An IHNSG Guidelines

Authors: Rao KN, Piazza C, Snyderman C, Vander Poorten V, Sreeram MP, Strojan P, et al.

Journal: Adv Ther

Published: 2025

Additional Details: 42(3):1312–1339. DOI: 10.1007/s12325-025-03113-x

41. The Chimeric Antero-Lateral Thigh Flap and Vastus Lateralis Muscle Flap for the Infratemporal Fossa Reconstruction in Oral Cancer Defects

Authors: Kapahtia R, Rao KN, Sreeram PM, Subramanium N, Srinath BS

Journal: Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg

Published: 2025

Additional Details: 77(2):897–904. DOI: 10.1007/s12070-024-05286-3

42. Implication of surgical loupes on complications following thyroidectomy: a meta-analysis

Authors: Rao KN, Zafereo M, Rao AN, Nixon I, Robbins KT, Sreeram MP, et al.

Journal: Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol

Published: 2025

Additional Details: 282(3):1159–1169. DOI: 10.1007/s00405-024-09003-2

43. Lower Rates of Hypocalcemia Following Near-Infrared Autofluorescence Use in Thyroidectomy: A Meta-Analysis of RCTs

Authors: Rao KN, Rajguru R, Dange P, Vetter D, Triponez F, Nixon IJ, et al.

Journal: Diagnostics (Basel)

Published: 2024

Additional Details: 14(5):505. DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics14050505

44. Misconducts in research and methods to uphold research integrity

Authors: Rao KN, Mair M, Arora RD, Dange P, Nagarkar NM

Journal: Indian J Cancer

Published: 2024

Additional Details: 61(2):354–359. DOI: 10.4103/ijc.ijc_4_23

45. Non-invasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features (NIFTP): what do we need to know?

Authors: Coca-Pelaz A, Rodrigo JP, Agaimy A, Hartl DM, Stenman G, Vander Poorten V, et al.

Journal: Virchows Arch

Published: 2024

Additional Details: 485(6):977–987. DOI: 10.1007/s00428-024-03953-y

46. Role of the FDG PET CT Scan in Pretreatment Evaluation of Oral Carcinomas

Authors: Banjare AK, Arora RD, Ravina M, Prajwal SD, Rao KN, Nagarkar NM

Journal: Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg

Published: 2024

Additional Details: 76(6):5346–5352. DOI: 10.1007/s12070-024-04974-4

47. Topical Antibiotic-Induced Otomycosis - a Systematic Review of Aetiology and Risk Factors

Authors: Pereira M, Rao K, Sharin F, Tanweer F, Mair M, Rea P

Journal: Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg

Published: 2024

Additional Details: 76(5):3766–3776. DOI: 10.1007/s12070-024-04852-z

48. Prognostic Effectiveness of PD-L1 Tumoral Expression in Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Authors: Singh A, Nagarkar NM, Chowhan AK, Mehta R, Arora RD, Rao KN, et al.

Journal: Indian J Surg Oncol

Published: 2024

Additional Details: 15(4):816–824. DOI: 10.1007/s13193-024-01984-0

49. Trotter Procedure with Harmonic Scalpel: A Unique Approach to Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma of Tongue Base Revisited

Authors: Grover H, Arora RD, John RM, Rao KN, Nagarkar NM

Journal: Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg

Published: 2024

Additional Details: 76(5):4735–4739. DOI: 10.1007/s12070-024-04811-8

50. Versatility of Islanded Nasolabial Flap Based on Facial Artery and Vein for Reconstruction of Oral Cancer Defects, Experience in a Tertiary Care Center

Authors: Mishra JK, Sahu SA, Arora RD, Sindhuja A, Rao KN

Journal: Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg

Published: 2024

Additional Details: 76(5):3944–3950. DOI: 10.1007/s12070-024-04748-y

51. Alcohol-Containing Mouthwash and the Risk of Oral Cancer: Exploring the Association

Authors: Rao KN, Mehta R, Dange P, Nagarkar NM

Journal: Indian J Surg Oncol

Published: 2024

Additional Details: 15(3):553–556. DOI: 10.1007/s13193-024-01948-4

52. Primary Management of Operable Locally Advanced Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Current Concepts and Strategies

Authors: Asarkar AA, Chang BA, de Bree R, Kowalski LP, Guntinas-Lichius O, Bradley PJ, et al.

Journal: Adv Ther

Published: 2024

Additional Details: 41(6):2133–2150. DOI: 10.1007/s12325-024-02861-6

53. Artificial neural network to predict post-operative hypocalcemia following total thyroidectomy

Authors: Rao KN, Arora R, Rajguru R, Nagarkar NM

Journal: Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg

Published: 2024

Additional Details: 76(4):3094–3102. DOI: 10.1007/s12070-024-04608-9

54. Assessment of the risk of malignancy in Bethesda III thyroid nodules: a comprehensive review

Authors: Rao KN, Randolph GW, Lopez F, Zafereo M, Coca-Pelaz A, Piazza C, et al.

Journal: Endocrine

Published: 2024

Additional Details: 85(2):473–492. DOI: 10.1007/s12020-024-03737-z

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