Finding out you have cancer is scary. It is scary because you don’t know what to expect. The good news when it comes to oral cancer is there are ways to treat it. With the right care, it is possible to have a complete recovery.
That can relieve some of the stress that people get from the diagnosis of oral cancer but learning what to expect from oral cancer surgery can remove more of the fear.
Types of Oral Cancer Surgery
There are many different types of surgery when it comes to cancer treatment. The type of surgery depends on how advanced the cancer is and where it is. A doctor can choose some of the following types of surgery for oral cancer.
• | Tumor resection – This surgery involves the removal of the tumor and some of the surrounding tissue. If the tumor is small, it may be a relatively minor surgery. |
• | Micrographic surgery – This is a procedure for cancer found on the lip. It involves removing thin slices of the lip until the entire tumor is gone. |
• | Mandible resection – When the tumor is found in the jaw, it may require removing part of all the mandible or the jaw bone. |
• | Glossectomy – This procedure is for cancer of the tongue. It involves removing part of the tongue. |
Other types of surgery can help remove the tumors found in the neck, the larynx and the hard palate.
After the Surgery
Almost all the surgeries will work to remove any cancerous tumors that are found. That can lead to a need for some form of reconstructive surgery. Soft tissue skin grafts and bone grafts can help promote the growth of new tissue and bone to replace anything that the surgery took away.
The goal of any surgery for oral cancer is to remove the threat of cancer first and then repair the damage the cancer caused. It can happen with some time and patience.
Contact our offices to schedule an appointment to find out more about this and any other oral health issue.