Dr.Satish c- Surgical Oncologist in bangalore
Glossectomy (Tongue Cancer Surgery)
Tongue cancer is one of the types of oral cancer. Surgery is one of the common treatment options recommended for tongue cancer.
Glossectomy (Tongue Cancer Surgery)
Overview
The term “glossectomy” refers to a group of surgical techniques that resect the tongue. Glossectomy is found to be extremely effective in the management of premalignant and malignant lesions found on the tongue.
If you are having signs of tongue cancer, you should meet the best tongue cancer specialist in Bangalore for excellent care and treatment.
The term “glossectomy” refers to a group of surgical techniques that resect the tongue. Glossectomy is found to be extremely effective in the management of premalignant and malignant lesions found on the tongue.
If you are having signs of tongue cancer, you should meet the best tongue cancer specialist in Bangalore for excellent care and treatment.
More about Tongue Base Mucosectomy
Based on the laterality and the proportion of the tongue removed, glossectomy is classified into the following types:
- Tongue Base Mucosectomy: Also known as type 1 glossectomy, this procedure removes the mucosa membrane that lines the tongue. This procedure is usually recommended for precancerous and superficial lesions that are limited to the epithelium layer of the tongue.
- Partial Glossectomy: This procedure removes less than one-half portion of the tongue.
- Hemiglossectomy: During hemiglossectomy, one side of the tongue is removed, while the other side is left intact. The base of the tongue is preserved; however, the tip of the tongue may or may not be preserved.
- Near-Total Glossectomy: This procedure removes half to three-quarters of the tongue.
- Total Glossectomy: During total glossectomy, the entire tongue is removed. After this procedure, it becomes difficult for patients to swallow without food or liquids entering the lungs. In order to prevent this, a laryngectomy may be performed, and this results in loss of voice. Reconstructive surgery becomes necessary after this kind of glossectomy.
How Does Glossectomy Work?
During glossectomy, the surgeon performs tracheotomy, which creates an opening in the neck for breathing. This is temporary. During partial glossectomy, the surgeon will only remove the part of the tongue that is affected by cancer. The remaining portion of the tongue will be stitched shut to ensure that there is no hole. The hole may occasionally be filled with a skin graft too.
A total glossectomy is a relatively complex procedure. The surgeon will remove the entire tongue. If the disease is in a relatively advanced stage, the surgeon may remove nearby lymph nodes to see if the cancer has spread to surrounding organs.
In some cases, this procedure is followed by reconstruction surgery, during which tissue is removed from the chest, forearm, or thigh to reconstruct the tongue.
Frequently Asked Questions
This depends on the type of glossectomy you’ve undergone. In the case of partial glossectomy, it may take a few months for your tongue to feel normal again. You may need the help of a speech specialist to regain your ability to speak properly. However, if you have undergone a total glossectomy, you will need to undergo tongue reconstruction and seek rehabilitation support from the specialists.
Potential side effects associated with glossectomy are bleeding, infection, salivary fistula, airway blockages, swallowing difficulties, hematoma, pneumonia, loss of speech, weight loss, etc.
In most cases, this procedure will not cause any scarring. However, if the surgeon decides to remove some of your lymph nodes from the neck region, it may lead to a scar.
Yes. Your tongue can be reconstructed successfully. Usually, the tissue for reconstruction is taken from the chest, forearm, and thighs. If you have any concerns about tongue reconstruction, you should talk to your treating doctor.
For the best tongue cancer treatment in Bangalore, you may consult Dr. Satish C, a well-known head and neck surgical oncologist.