Oral cancer surgery

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Sargun Singh Walia M.B.B.S.[2], Simrat Sarai, M.D. [3]; Grammar Reviewer: Natalie Harpenau, B.S.[4]

Overview[edit | edit source]

Surgery is the mainstay of treatment for oral cancer. Surgical resection of full-extent of lesion of the oral cavity should be done. Only surgical resection is done if oral cancer is detected early and has not metastasized. In advanced-stage and recurrent cancers, surgery is done in combination with radiation therapy, chemotherapy or targeted therapy. Depending on the stage of oral cancer, one or more of the various procedures are recommended such as: tumor resection, Mohs micrographic surgery, full or partial mandible resection, glossectomy, maxillectomy, laryngectomy, neck dissection, partial or selective neck dissection, modified radical neck dissection and radical neck dissection.

Surgery[edit | edit source]

• Surgical resection of full-extent of lesion of the oral cavity should be done.
  • If regional nodes are positive, cervical node dissection is usually done in continuity.
  • Surgeons ablate large posterior oral cavity tumors using reconstructive methods so that satisfactory functional results can be achieved.^[1]
  • Prosthodontic rehabilitation is done after surgical resection.^[2]

• If oral cancer is detected early, before it has metastasized, then surgical resection is done.
• Advanced-stage and recurrent cancers:
  • Surgery is done in combination with radiation therapy, chemotherapy or targeted therapy.
• Surgical excision of the tumor is usually recommended if the tumor is small enough, and if surgery is likely to result in a functionally satisfactory result.
• Depending on the stage of oral cancer, one or more of the following procedures is recommended:
  • Tumor resection
  • Mohs micrographic surgery
  • Full or partial mandible resection
  • Glossectomy
  • Maxillectomy
  • Laryngectomy
  • Neck dissection
  • Partial or selective neck dissection
  • Modified radical neck dissection
  • Radical neck dissection

Other Surgical Procedures for Oral Cancer[edit | edit source]

• Pedicle or free-flap reconstruction
• Tracheostomy
• Gastrostomy tube
• Dental extraction and implants

References[edit | edit source]

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