Oral Cancer Surgery

Oral Cancer Surgery For most people who have oral cancer, surgery is the primary treatment. It is usually possible to remove these tumors through the opening of the oral cavity, but in some cases, a more extensive surgical procedure may be required. Your surgical options will be determined by factors such as your tumor’s size, stage, and location.

Types of Oral Cancer surgery:

One or more of the following procedures may be recommended depending on the stage of your oral cancer. We provide an in-depth guide to the different types of operations used to treat oral cancer.

Tumour resection:

A tumour resection is an operation that removes the tumour. In an effort to eradicate as many cancer cells as possible, the margin, which surrounds the tumour, is also removed during this procedure. Often, a small tumour can be removed through the mouth if it is easily reached. Tumours that are larger or harder to reach may require incisions in the neck, face, or jawbone.

Full or partial mandible resection :

It is occasionally necessary to remove the mandible or perform a mandibulectomy when the tumour has grown into the jaw bone. The jawbone is removed in part or in its entirety during this procedure. Only a small piece of the bone may be removed if an X-ray shows the jawbone is normal and no cancer cells are found in the area. On the other hand, if the X-ray shows cancer in the jawbone, it may be necessary to remove the entire bone.

Glossectomy:

Depending on the size oftumourtumor, the type of glossectomy used to remove tongue cancer may vary. In cases of very small tumours, a partial glossectomy may be used to treat them. The entire tongue may need to be removed if the tumour is large enough to require a glossectomy.

Maxillectomy:

In this operation, the hard palate, which forms the front of the mouth, is removed. In some cases, a denture can be used to fill the hole left by the surgery. You will likely be referred to a prosthodontist by your doctor in order to have a prosthesis tailored to your mouth. In cases where the jawbone is removed in large portions or completely, a prosthesis may not be possible. In this case, it may be necessary to reconstruct the maxilla surgically.

Laryngectomy:

An oncologist performs a laryngectomy by removing both the voice box and the primary tumour. To remove as many cancer cells as possible, some tissue involved in swallowing may need to be removed when a large tumour has grown on the tongue or in the oropharynx. This process can result in food entering the windpipe (trachea) and the lungs, causing pneumonia. Occasionally, a laryngectomy is recommended when pneumonia is likely to occur. As part of this procedure, a hole in the neck’s skin is used to connect the windpipe to the lungs. After having a laryngectomy, it is not guaranteed that a patient will no longer be able to speak. What Are The Possible Oral Cancer Surgery Procedures? In some circumstances, it may be possible to regain vocal function following a laryngectomy through the use of several techniques.

Neck dissection :

When lymph nodes in the neck have been affected by oral cancer, this type of surgery is used to remove them. There are different treatment options for lymph node cancer based on its size and extent, including the following:

• Selective or partial neck dissection to remove only part of a lymph node

• A radical neck dissection is sometimes performed to remove most lymph nodes between the jawbone and collarbone on one side of the neck, as well as some muscles and nerves

• Extensive muscle, nerve, and vein removal along with a radical neck dissection to remove nearly all lymph nodes in one side

Pedicle or free flap Reconstruction:

A large tumour may require some kind of repair in the mouth, throat or neck after it has been removed. It is sometimes necessary to perform a skin graft. A thin slice of skin is removed from the thigh and reattached to the oral cavity area that needs repair. Depending on the size of the defect, a piece of muscle or skin may need to be shifted from a nearby area, such as the chest.

Microsurgery :

The advancement of microvascular surgery has aided in the reconstruction of the oral cavity and oropharynx through the attachment of blood vessels under a microscope. As a result of these techniques, it may be possible to replace parts of the mouth, throat, or jawbone with tissue derived from distant parts of the body, such as the intestines, arm muscles, abdominal muscles, or even lower leg bones.

Tracheostomy:

 An opening in the windpipe and front of the neck may be made if a tumour in the oropharynx is too large to be completely removed. In some cases, the removal of a tumour may result in extensive swelling of the neck. A temporary tracheostomy, which is an incision made in the trachea, may be performed by your surgical oncology team to help ease your breathing until the swelling subsides.

Gastrostomy tube:

 It is sometimes possible to place a gastrostomy tube directly into the stomach. If an oral cavity or oropharynx cancer is preventing swallowing, this approach may be recommended. It may be possible to provide adequate nutrition to the patient via a gastrostomy tube. It is also possible to insert a feeding tube through the mouth into the stomach. A camera is attached to the end of a long, thin tube to perform this procedure, known as a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy, or PEG. A tube may be used to deliver liquid nutrients. Depending on the situation, these tubes may be inserted for a short or long time. You may leave them in after treatment if necessary to keep yourself healthy and fed. Once normal eating has been resumed, the tube can easily be removed.

Dental extraction and implants:

 It is possible to have to remove your teeth when you use radiation to treat oral cancer if you have unhealthy teeth that are exposed to radiation. For oral cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy, a comprehensive dental examination is always performed. Following the removal of your jawbone and replacement with bone from another part of your body, dental implants may be placed in your new jawbone. These implants can be attached to prosthetic teeth during or after reconstructive surgery.

Side effects of Oral Cancer Surgery:

 Likely, you will not feel better for several weeks. Despite being discharged from the hospital, you may still need some special recovery care. As you recover, here are some things to expect. Following surgery for oral cancer, patients may experience the following side effects:

• Pain:

You will likely experience pain after surgery for the first few weeks. Medications can help you manage your pain. Find out what pain relief options are available to you from your doctor or nurse. Taking pain medication can be a challenge for some people. However, doing so can help you recover.

• Tiredness:

There may be a period when you feel tired or weak. Recovery from surgery takes a different amount of time for each individual.

• Symptoms from lymph node removal:

Your shoulder may be weak, your ear may be numb, or your lower lip may feel weak if you had lymph nodes removed from your neck. Also, the area may be swollen.

 • Bleeding:

It is common for people to have bleeding or oozing from their cuts.

• Constipation:

Constipation can be caused by using pain medication, not exercising much, or not eating enough. Make sure you discuss how you can prevent constipation with your doctor or nurse.

 • Diarrhea:

An infection, tube feeding, or stress may cause diarrhoea. You can reduce the chances of diarrhoea by eating certain foods. Consult a dietitian for recommendations.

• Bloated face:

Symptoms may include swelling or bloating of the face. As time passes, this will go away. Consult your doctor for advice on how to manage it.

• Eating problems:

You may have difficulty eating and drinking. You will learn how to swallow after surgery with the help of a nurse or therapist. It is possible to administer nutrients via a feeding tube if necessary.

When to See an Oncologist in Nepal for Oral Cancer?

 If you have any of the aforementioned symptoms and are positive you have cancer, you can get checked out by a head and neck cancer surgeon in Nepal. Depending on your preferences, you may want to consult a head and neck oncologist. If you are being treated for cancer, your doctor will be able to suggest the best course of action for you. If you are seeking cancer treatment, you should consult Dr Prabhat Chandra Thakur, one of Nepal’s best oncologists.

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