Dr Anita Borges, one of India’s most respected cancer pathologists, passed away in Gorakhpur yesterday following a heart attack. She was 73.
Dr Borges, often referred to as the “Queen of Histopathology,” had a career spanning more than five decades. She worked at leading institutions including Tata Memorial Hospital and S.L. Raheja Hospital, and later headed the Centre for Oncopathology in Mumbai.
Her histopathology reports played a key role in guiding oncologists and surgeons, enabling timely and accurate treatment for thousands of cancer patients. Beyond her diagnostic expertise, she was regarded as a mentor and teacher, remembered for her willingness to share knowledge and guide younger pathologists and clinicians.
She was the first recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Indian Society of Head and Neck Oncologists, where she was introduced as a “pathologist who thinks like a surgeon.” Dr Borges often advised colleagues to “work like a pathologist but think like a clinician.”
Her passing has been described as a significant loss to the oncology community. Tributes from colleagues and institutions highlighted her contributions, mentorship, and impact on cancer care in India.
Dr Anita Borges is remembered not only for her professional achievements but also for her dedication to teaching, which she continued until her final days.
