Dr. Arvind Krishnamurthy

Biography: Dr. Arvind Krishnamurthy – A Pioneer in Surgical Oncology Dr. Arvind Krishnamurthy, MBBS, MS (General Surgery), MCh (Surgical Oncology), DNB (Surgical Oncology), stands as a towering figure in the field of surgical oncology in India. As Professor and Head of the Department of Surgical Oncology at the Cancer Institute (WIA) in Adyar, Chennai, affiliated with Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University, he has dedicated over 24 years to advancing cancer care, research, and education. With special expertise in head and neck, thoracic, and breast oncology, Dr. Krishnamurthy has transformed patient outcomes through innovative surgical techniques, leadership in multidisciplinary teams, and a relentless commitment to underserved communities. Born and educated in India, Dr. Krishnamurthy's medical journey began at S.V. Medical College in Tirupati, where he earned his MBBS in 1997. He pursued his MS in General Surgery at Madras Medical College in Chennai (1998–2001), followed by specialized training in surgical oncology at the prestigious Tata Memorial Centre in Mumbai, culminating in an MCh in 2005 and DNB (Surgical Oncology) in 2006. This rigorous foundation equipped him with the skills to tackle complex cancers, setting the stage for a career marked by clinical excellence and academic rigor. Dr. Krishnamurthy's professional trajectory at the Cancer Institute (WIA) spans from Assistant Professor in 2005 to his current role as Professor and Head since 2018. His tenure includes stints as Specialist Registrar at Tata Memorial Centre (2005) and progressive promotions at WIA, where he has accumulated nearly 25 years of teaching experience. Early in his career, he played a pivotal role in stabilizing the Surgical Oncology Department during a 2006 crisis triggered by staff resignations, rebuilding trust and ensuring continuity of care. Under his leadership, the department has grown exponentially, performing over 2,700 major surgeries and 5,000 minor/endoscopic procedures annually as of 2024–25. He has pioneered sub-specialties, expanded infrastructure with the Diamond Jubilee Block, and procured advanced equipment through government grants and donations. His clinical innovations are particularly noteworthy. In head and neck oncology, he oversees more than 650 major procedures yearly, attracting observers from across India. He has standardized minimally invasive thoracic surgeries, including video-assisted and robotic-assisted techniques, reducing patient recovery time even after neoadjuvant therapies. In breast oncology, he has boosted conservation surgeries and sentinel lymph node biopsies to over 83%, incorporating oncoplastic procedures for better functional outcomes. Dr. Krishnamurthy's administrative acumen shines in faculty recruitment, establishing services like speech pathology, interventional pulmonology, and medical gastroenterology, and increasing MCh Surgical Oncology trainee intake to nine annually. He mentors postgraduates through comprehensive programs, with alumni serving nationwide. A prolific researcher, Dr. Krishnamurthy has over 250 peer-reviewed publications in international and national journals, with an ORCID ID of 0000-0002-5604-0955 and a Google Scholar profile highlighting his impact. His work spans thyroid, lung, breast, and head/neck cancers, including landmark studies on HPV in oral cancers, BRAF mutations in thyroid cancers, and molecular profiling for risk stratification. He has led or co-investigated projects funded by ICMR, DBT, and others, totaling over ₹10 crore, focusing on biomarkers, HPV screening, and curcumin/metformin for second primaries. Ongoing trials include ADD-ASPIRIN (MRC UK) and a Phase IIb/III study on curcumin/metformin (National Cancer Grid). Dr. Krishnamurthy's contributions extend to national policy and quality improvement. He helped formulate ICMR/NCG guidelines for head/neck and thoracic cancers, developed quality indicators for oral and breast cancers, and secured a ₹1.3 crore grant for the institute's Clinical Trial Support Unit. As Chairman of the Infection Prevention and Control Committee and a member of the Patient Safety Committee, he upholds NABH standards. His community outreach includes oral cancer screening camps and tobacco cessation programs, collaborating with psycho-oncology teams. Honors abound in his career: the Dr. K.S. Sanjivi Award (2011) for service to the poor, Iyan Valluvar Award (2010), Best Doctors Award from Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University (2012), Sushrutha Award for Excellence in Medicine (2019), and Geeta R. Gandhi Oration (2021). He serves in leadership roles, including Honorary Secretary of the Indian Society of Oncology (ISO), Treasurer and Past Scientific Chairman of the Tamil Nadu Association of Surgical Oncology (TASO), Past Associate Editor of the Indian Journal of Surgical Oncology, and editorial board member for journals like Indian Journal of Cancer and South Asian Journal of Cancer. A sought-after speaker and organizer, Dr. Krishnamurthy has delivered over 200 invited talks at national/international conferences, covering topics from HPV vaccination to neoadjuvant therapies. He organized major events like NATCON-IASO 2014, FHNO 2019 (with 760+ delegates), ISMPO-ISOCON 2022 (1,270+ attendees), and the 3rd Indian Cancer Congress 2023. He founded the Surgical Oncology Clinical Orientation Program (SCOPE) for postgraduates and has examined for MCh/DrNB programs at institutions like Tata Memorial Centre and AIIMS. As a reviewer for 20+ journals and life member of associations like ASI, IASO, FHNO, and ITS, he shapes the field's discourse. Dr. Krishnamurthy's legacy is one of resilience and innovation. Amid challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic, he advocated for prioritizing cancer surgeries and contributed to consensus guidelines. His holistic approach—integrating surgery, research, education, and public health—has saved countless lives and inspired generations. As he continues to bridge guidelines and practice, Dr. Krishnamurthy remains a beacon for equitable, cutting-edge cancer care in India and beyond