Dr Umanath K Nayak

Dr. Umanath Nayak is a leading expert in head and neck oncology with over 30 years of experience. He is recognised for introducing advanced surgical techniques, including minimally invasive procedures and post-laryngectomy voice rehabilitation. At Apollo Hospitals Hyderabad, he has pioneered comprehensive cancer care for head and neck tumours. Dr. Nayak is also committed to patient support, having founded India’s first Laryngectomee Club and initiated fellowship training programmes for young surgeons.

Educational Qualifications:

• MBBS from Kasturba Medical College (1984)​
• MS in General Surgery from Kasturba Medical College (1988)
• Fellowship in Head & Neck Oncologic Surgery from University of California, Davis Medical Center, USA (1994)​

Professional Experience:

• Registrar in Surgical Oncology at Cancer Institute (WIA), Madras, India (1989)​
• Resident and Lecturer in Head & Neck Surgery at Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology, Bangalore, India (1989–1992)​
• Fellow in Head & Neck Oncology & Skull Base Surgery at University of California, Davis Medical Center, USA (1992–1994)​
• Clinical Observer in Head & Neck Surgery at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, USA (1994)​
• Consultant Head & Neck Surgeon at Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad, India (1994–Present)

Notable Achievements:

• Khandelwal Junior Oncologist Award for Scientific Excellence by the Indian Society of Oncology (1992)​
• Outstanding Achievement Award from Apollo Hospitals (1997)​
• UICC Fellowship Award for project on Post-Laryngectomy Speech Rehabilitation at The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam (1998)​
• S. L. Jaiswal Best Video Award by the Association of Otolaryngologists of India (2002)
• Initiated the Head & Neck Fellowship program at Apollo Hospitals (2013)

Professional Memberships:

• Member of the Association of Otolaryngologists of India​
• Member of the Indian Society of Oncology​
• Founder President of the Life Line Association of Blood Donors​
• Member of the International Union Against Cancer​
• Founder President of the Laryngectomee Club at Apollo Hospital​

Publications

• Shenoy A.M., Hasan S., Nayak U.K. et al (1992), Radio – recurrent Laryngeal cancers – the role of Salvage Laryngectomy, Pakistan Journal of Otolaryngology 8:63-65.
• Shenoy A.M., Hasan S., Nayak U.K., et al (1992) Neck metastasis from an occult primary – The Kidwai Experience. Indian Journal of Cancer 29:203-209.
• Shenoy A.M., Nanjundappa, Nayak U.K. et al (1993) Scalp flap – a utility and reconstructive option For head & neck surgeons. The Journal of Laryngology and Otology 107: 324-328.
• Kumari P., Augustus M., Nayak U.K., et al. (1995) Cytogenetic and viral studies in undifferentiated Nasopharyngeal carcinomas in patients of Indian origin. Indian Journal of Cancer.
• Nayak U.K., Donald P.J. and Stevens D. (1995) Carotid resection for invasion of malignant tumors. Archives of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery 121:1029-1033.
• U.K., Chowdary S., Sainadh B.S.S. et al (1997). Glomus Intravagale tumor A case report. Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery 49:2:136-138.

• Nayak U.K., Reddy B.S., Chowdary S., (1999) Carotid artery resection and vein grafting for Malignancy. Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery 51:4:72-75.
• Nayak U.K., (2001) Provox voice prosthesis – The Indian experience. Indian Journal of Otolaryngology And Head & Neck Surgery 53:1:73-75.
• Nayak U.K. (2003) “Surgical management of some unusual parapharyngeal space tumors” Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery.
• Nayak U.K., Swain B., (2004) Myocutaneous v/s microvascular free flaps in oral cavity reconstruction A comparative study. Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery 56:2:96-98.
• Nayak U.K., (2005) Head & Neck Cancer in India. Feature article, ENT News 14:3