Oral cavity cancer treatment with tumor removal

Surgery is the primary treatment for most patients with oral cancer. It involves removing tumors with nearby lymph nodes, especially if cancer begins on the tongue or lower gums. The surgery type and volume depend on the tumor location. It is important to excise the tumor completely (within healthy tissues) to eliminate the risk of relapse. Before the operation, you will receive anesthesia and fall asleep. As a rule, operations are performed through an open mouth. With small tumors, bone tissue removal is unnecessary. However, in some cases, a more comprehensive approach may be required:Mandibulectomy - a partial or complete removal of the lower jaw. Maxillectomy - removing the upper jaw for upper palate tumors. Glosectomy - removing the tongue or part of it. Layer–by-layer cancer removal with mandatory control of the fragments being removed under a microscope. When cancer cells are no longer detected in these fragments, the operation is stopped, and the tumor is considered remote. During the treatment, surgeons do everything to preserve healthy oral tissues, palate, and upper and lower jaw as fully as possible. After surgery, the patient often has difficulty swallowing and chewing and feels weak and dizzy. With extensive tumor removal, secondary reconstructive operations help to remove cosmetic defects and restore chewing and swallowing functions.