How is tongue cancer removed?
At Mayo Clinic, surgeons remove most tongue cancer through the mouth (transoral surgery). To remove the cancer, doctors may use cutting tools or lasers during surgery. Transoral robotic surgery.
What treatment is used for tongue cancer?
The main treatments for tongue cancer are surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, either combined or on their own. Your treatment depends on how far your cancer has grown and whether it has spread (the stage). It also depends on which part of the tongue is affected.
Is cancer of the tongue treatable?
Tongue cancer is highly curable when it is detected early, but it can be life-threatening if not diagnosed and treated early. Over time, it may spread to other sites in the mouth, other areas of the head and neck, or other parts of the body.
How long does it take for tongue surgery to heal?
Tongue Surgery Postoperative Instructions Pain will be present for at least 7-14 days following surgery, but it should improve around two weeks following surgery. If you are running out of medication, and you still have significant pain, please contact us before it finishes.
Is radiation necessary after tongue cancer surgery?
It may be recommended after surgery to prevent the cancer’s regrowth. Radiation may also be used as the sole treatment if the tumor cannot be removed surgically or if the tumor regrows after surgery.
Does tongue cancer spread quickly?
Most oral cancers are a type called squamous cell carcinoma. These cancers tend to spread quickly. Smoking and other tobacco use are linked to most cases of oral cancer. Heavy alcohol use also increases the risk for oral cancer.
Can I talk after tongue surgery?
If you had surgery to your voice box, mouth, jaw, tongue or throat you will have problems talking after your operation. This can be frustrating and you may feel you have no control over things. Staff will be aware of this.
Is tongue surgery painful?
Patients that have undergone palatal and/or base of tongue surgery may experience pain when swallowing, as well as reflux of liquid into the nose. This resolves usually within a couple of days after surgery.
Can you talk after tongue surgery?
If you had surgery to your voice box, mouth, jaw, tongue or throat you will have problems talking after your operation. This can be frustrating and you may feel you have no control over things. Staff will be aware of this. You will have a call bell close by so you can call for help if you need it.
How many radiotherapy sessions are needed for oral cancer?
Radiation therapy is delivered in doses called fractions—typically once daily, five days a week, for six or seven weeks. Intensity modulated radiation therapy may be combined with chemotherapy.
How long is radiation treatment for tongue cancer?
Standard EBRT for oral cavity or oropharyngeal cancers is usually given in daily fractions (doses) 5 days a week for about 7 weeks. But sometimes other schedules might be used: Hyperfractionation radiation is a slightly lower radiation dose given more than once a day (for example, twice a day for 7 weeks).
Where does tongue cancer spread to first?
In general, oral cavity cancer tends to spread primarily to the lymph nodes of the neck first before it spreads or metastasizes to other areas.
What are the treatment options for tongue cancer?
Treating tongue cancer. The main treatments for tongue cancer are surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, either combined or on their own. Your treatment depends on how far your cancer has grown and whether it has spread (the stage). It also depends on which part of the tongue is affected.
What is tongue cancer reconstruction surgery?
In this surgery, your doctor will take a piece of skin or tissue from another part of your body and use it to rebuild your tongue. The goal of both the glossectomy and reconstruction surgery is to remove the cancer while damaging as little of your mouth as possible.
How do you treat the back of the tongue?
Treating the back of the tongue. You might need radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy after surgery if your doctor thinks there is a high risk that your cancer will come back. Chemoradiotherapy means you have chemotherapy and radiotherapy together.
What are the postoperative instructions for tongue base surgery?
Tongue Surgery Post-Operative Instructions 1 Pain. While there is a significant amount of individual variability on pain perception, tongue base surgeries have as the main issue a significant amount of post-operative pain. 2 Diet. 3 Avoid strenuous physical activity for three weeks. 4 Bleeding. 5 Sleep with head elevated.