Best Oncologist in Delhi: How to Choose, and Verified Specialists

How to find the right cancer specialist in Delhi — the three types of oncologist, what to look for, and verified doctors at accredited hospitals.

Quick Answer
  1. 1

    Delhi has some of India's most experienced oncologists across medical, surgical and radiation oncology, at JCI- and NABH-accredited hospitals.

  2. 2

    Cancer treatment in Delhi typically costs far less than in the US, UK or the Gulf.

  3. 3

    Care is planned by a multidisciplinary tumour board, and most of the planning can be done remotely first.

  4. 4

    You can get a free written second opinion from a Delhi oncologist before you travel.

  • The right oncologist depends on your cancer type and stage — many patients need more than one.
  • Look for a DM, MCh or DrNB super-specialty qualification and a high volume of cases like yours.
  • Verify the doctor on the NMC register and the hospital's NABH or JCI accreditation.

Explore best hospitals in detail below.

Delhi is home to some of India's oldest and largest cancer centres, with strong teams across all three oncology specialties. For an international patient, the challenge is rarely finding a cancer doctor in Delhi — it is choosing the right one.

This guide explains the three types of oncologist, how to judge one, and what makes Delhi a strong choice for cancer care. The verified specialists listed below practise at accredited Delhi hospitals.

The Three Types of Oncologist — and Which You Need

Almost every cancer is treated by one or more of three specialists. Knowing which does what is the first step to choosing the right doctor.

  • Medical oncologist — treats cancer with drugs: chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy and hormone therapy. Often coordinates the overall plan.
  • Surgical oncologist — removes the cancer, with nearby tissue or lymph nodes, by surgery. Leads for operable, early-stage disease.
  • Radiation oncologist — uses precisely targeted radiotherapy to destroy cancer cells or lower the chance of the cancer returning.

For many cancers these roles combine, which is why the plan — not just the doctor — matters most.

Match the specialist to the job
You don't choose "the best oncologist" in the abstract — you choose the right type for your cancer and stage, and often you need all three working together. Starting with the wrong specialist is one of the most common and costly mistakes a patient can make.

How to Judge an Oncologist in Delhi

Experience with your specific cancer matters more than general fame, and every claim can be checked. Look for four things:

  • A super-specialty qualification — DM or DrNB in medical oncology, MCh or DrNB in surgical oncology, MD or DNB in radiation oncology.
  • A high volume of patients with your exact cancer.
  • Whether your case will be reviewed by a multidisciplinary tumour board.
  • A JCI- or NABH-accredited hospital with the technology your treatment needs.

A doctor's registration can be confirmed on India's National Medical Commission register.

Ask whether your case goes to a tumour board
The single strongest sign of a serious cancer centre is that your case is discussed by a multidisciplinary tumour board — the surgeon, medical and radiation oncologists, radiologist and pathologist agreeing one plan together, rather than one doctor deciding alone.

Why International Patients Choose Delhi

Delhi and the wider capital region treat large numbers of international cancer patients each year, with experienced high-volume teams and internationally accredited hospitals — at a fraction of Western prices.

  • Cost — generally far lower than in the US, UK and the Gulf (ask for an itemised estimate).
  • Quality — JCI- and NABH-accredited hospitals; specialists trained at India's top institutes and abroad.
  • Team care — multidisciplinary tumour boards at established cancer centres.
  • Logistics — an e-Medical Visa on a hospital invitation letter; English-speaking teams; end-to-end coordination.

Most of the planning can be done remotely — send your reports for a free written second opinion before you travel.

Related Doctors

15 doctor
Dr. Vinod Raina
Dr. Vinod Raina

Chairman – Medical Oncology

Medical Oncologist

Breast cancerLung cancerGastrointestinal cancers (stomach, colorectal, oesophageal)
Gurgaon, IndiaFortis Memorial Research Institute

40+ years of experience

Dr. Vinod Raina is a distinguished figure in the field of Medical Oncology in India, with over 40 years of exemplary experience. He is currently associated with Fortis Memorial Research Institute in Gurugram, where he functions as the Chairman and Head of Medical Oncology and Hematology. His primary expertise lies in chemotherapy treatment and he was the first to perform high-dose chemotherapy in India. He also performed the first peripheral blood BMT in India — milestones that placed him at the frontier of oncology practice in the country during a period when these techniques were only available in the most advanced centres globally. Dr. Raina possesses specialised expertise in treating a wide spectrum of cancers including breast cancer, lung cancer, gastrointestinal cancer, urological cancer, gynaecological cancer, lymphoma, and myeloma. His contributions extend to performing approximately 400 BMTs, significantly enhancing treatment options for various cancers in India. Before joining Fortis, Dr. Raina was part of other renowned cancer hospitals such as the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), where during the last decade he performed the largest number of cancer-related transplants in India. He served as a Professor and Head of Medical Oncology at AIIMS, New Delhi, where he garnered immense respect for his knowledge and leadership. Throughout his career, Dr. Raina has worked across hospitals and medical institutes both in India and abroad. During his stint at AIIMS, he was the Principal Investigator of over 50 projects where he showcased his commitment to advancing oncology through rigorous scientific inquiry. He also co-founded the INDOX network, furthering collaborative research efforts in oncology. Moreover, he has been conducting the DM course for Medical Oncology for the last 15 years and has trained more than 70 residents and DM students at AIIMS, many of whom now occupy prominent positions in the field globally. He holds more than 200 publications in national and international medical journals worldwide.

Dr. Pooja Babbar
Dr. Pooja Babbar

Consultant & Unit Head – Medical Oncology

Medical Oncologist

Breast cancerLung cancerColorectal cancer
Gurugram, IndiaFortis Hospital Manesar

11+ years of experience

Dr. Pooja Babbar is a highly motivated and enthusiastic medical oncologist with over 11 years of experience in the field. She holds a DM in Medical Oncology (Gold Medalist) from the prestigious Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology, Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS), where she was awarded a gold medal for her outstanding academic performance. She has extensive expertise in the evaluation, diagnosis, staging, and formulation of personalised care plans for both solid and haematological malignancies. She remains well-versed with the latest advancements in cancer care, adhering to international protocols and evidence-based guidelines to ensure optimal treatment outcomes. Dr. Babbar holds a European Certification in Medical Oncology from ESMO and has been trained at Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai. Known for her empathetic nature and patient-centric approach, she is committed to delivering comprehensive and holistic oncology care. Her patients trust her for her expertise, compassion, and commitment to cutting-edge cancer treatment.

Dr. Imran Khan
Dr. Imran Khan

Consultant — Medical Oncology

Medical Oncologist

Lung cancerEsophageal cancerStomach cancer
New Delhi, IndiaFortis Escorts Heart Institute

10+ years of experience

Dr. Imran Khan has joined as a Consultant in Medical Oncology at Fortis Escorts, Okhla Road, New Delhi. He has over 10 years of experience in the field of oncology. Dr. Khan has experience in treating all types of cancers — solid and liquid cancers. Additionally, he is experienced in treating rare malignancies like soft tissue sarcomas and bone sarcomas, as well as paediatric malignancies. He has rich experience in all aspects of medical oncology, including administering chemotherapy, targeted drugs, immunotherapy drugs, antibody-drug conjugate drugs, as well as pain and palliative care. Dr. Khan has experience in performing various procedures such as PICC line insertion, bone marrow aspiration and biopsy, intrathecal administration of drugs, and ascitic fluid drainage. He is an active member of ASCO, ESMO, CAMO, UKAOS, MOGA, AIOM, SFPPO, CSCO, and ISMPO. Dr. Khan has been an active participant as a speaker and panelist in various international and national conferences. He has multiple medical publications in various international and national journals and is reviewer for numerous oncological manuscripts.

Dr. Huma Noor
Dr. Huma Noor

Consultant — Medical Oncology

Medical Oncologist

Breast cancerLung cancerOvarian cancer
New Delhi, IndiaFortis Escorts Heart Institute

11+ years of experience

Dr. Huma Noor has joined as a Consultant in Medical Oncology at Fortis Escorts, Okhla Road, New Delhi. She has over 11 years of experience in the field of oncology. Dr. Noor is fully proficient in all aspects of medical oncology, including diagnosis and treatment of all types of cancers — solid and liquid cancers. Furthermore, she also treats less common malignancies like soft tissue sarcomas, bone sarcomas, and paediatric malignancies. She has clinical expertise in chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy and hormonal therapy, besides supportive and pain & palliative care. Dr. Noor has performed more than fifty stem cell transplants. She has been first in her state to carry out successful paediatric transplant. She is an active member of various international and national oncology societies including ASCO, ESMO, ISMPO, etc.

Dr. Ajay Sharma
Dr. Ajay Sharma

Senior Director & Unit Head — Medical Oncology

Medical Oncologist

Breast cancerHead and neck cancersLung cancer
New Delhi, IndiaBLK-Max Super Speciality Hospital

18+ years of experience

Dr. Ajay Sharma is the Senior Director and Unit Head of Medical Oncology at BLK-Max Super Speciality Hospital in New Delhi, bringing over 18 years of dedicated expertise in comprehensive cancer care. He is a Fellow of the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) and holds the prestigious European Certification in Medical Oncology (ECMO) from Amsterdam, alongside his MD from Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences and DNB in Medical Oncology from Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute. His clinical foundation is exceptionally strong, built on rigorous training and progressive leadership roles across India's premier oncology centres. Dr. Sharma's clinical practice spans the full spectrum of solid tumour management, with particular mastery in breast cancer, head and neck cancers, and advanced malignancies. He specialises in multimodal treatment strategies including adjuvant and neoadjuvant chemotherapy, immunotherapy for advanced cancers, immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy, and precision molecular-targeted therapies guided by biomarker analysis. His evidence-based approach to hormone therapy in breast cancer and targeted treatment of solid tumours has made him a trusted clinician within India's oncology community. As Unit Head at BLK-Max, he oversees comprehensive cancer programmes and leads multidisciplinary teams to manage complex cases. Dr. Sharma regularly treats international patients from the Gulf region, East Africa, and Central Asian countries who seek his expertise for second opinions and definitive cancer treatment. His fluency in English and Hindi, combined with his international training credentials and membership in both ASCO (American Society of Clinical Oncology) and ESMO, ensures seamless communication and globally-aligned care standards. He understands the unique needs of patients travelling for treatment, from initial consultation through follow-up management. BLK-Max Super Speciality Hospital, where Dr. Sharma practises, is one of New Delhi's most advanced oncology destinations, equipped with state-of-the-art chemotherapy suites, molecular diagnostics laboratories, and dedicated palliative care units. The hospital maintains NABH accreditation and offers robust international patient support, including visa assistance and accommodation coordination. For patients seeking medical oncology care in India, Dr. Sharma's combination of international certification, institutional leadership, and proven outcomes makes BLK-Max an excellent choice for comprehensive, evidence-based cancer treatment tailored to each patient's unique tumour biology and clinical stage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the best oncologist in Delhi?
There is no single "best" oncologist — the right one depends on your cancer type and stage. Look for a super-specialty qualification (DM, MCh or DrNB), a high volume of cases like yours, and whether your case will be reviewed by a multidisciplinary tumour board at an accredited hospital.
What is the difference between a medical, surgical and radiation oncologist?
A medical oncologist treats cancer with drugs — chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy and hormone therapy. A surgical oncologist removes the cancer with surgery. A radiation oncologist treats it with precisely targeted radiotherapy. Most patients need more than one, working together as a team.
How do I choose a cancer specialist in Delhi as an international patient?
Start with the type of specialist your cancer needs, confirm the super-specialty qualification and NMC registration, check the hospital's NABH or JCI accreditation, and ask whether your case will go to a tumour board. A free remote second opinion lets you settle the plan before you travel.
How much does cancer treatment cost in Delhi?
Treatment in Delhi generally costs far less than in the US, UK or the Gulf, but the total depends on your plan — surgery, radiotherapy, drug therapy, or a combination. There is no fixed price, so ask for an itemised written estimate before you travel.
Can I get a second opinion from a Delhi oncologist before travelling to India?
Yes. Your biopsy, scans and reports can be reviewed remotely by a Delhi oncologist, who returns a written opinion and plan before you book any travel or visa. Through GAF this remote second opinion is free.

Patient Success Story

Iraqi Family's Journey: Baby Ibrahim's Life-Saving Heart Surgery in India

Get a Free Medical Opinion

An English-speaking patient coordinator will reach out within 24 hours.