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Oral Cancer Surgery in Bhubaneswar

Oral Cancer Surgery

Oral Cancer Surgery in Bhubaneswar

Oral Cancer Surgery is considered the first-line treatment for oral cancers. In situations where surgery is performed, the procedure is followed by radiation or chemoradiation (concurrent Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy) to eliminate any remaining cancer cells and reduce the risk of recurrence. However, in some cases, the size and stage of oral cancers may not make it feasible to perform surgery, and therefore, radiation is used first in such circumstances. The surgery usually involves removing your cancer and the border of normal tissue, also called margins, surrounding your cancer. You may also need surgery on:

  • The jawbone or on the roof of the mouth (hard palate)
  • Tongue

  • Voice box or larynx

  • Lymph nodes in the neck

Based on your condition, specialists may also perform Reconstructive Surgeries if necessary to restore the oral structure and function. The goal of every Oral Cancer Surgery in Bhubaneswar is to preserve your physical appearance, including your ability to swallow and speak. At Manipal Hospitals in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, specialists in the Department of Oral Maxillo-Facial Surgery will thoroughly review your case to treat your condition, ensuring better outcomes and well-being. 

 

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FAQ's

Oral maxillofacial surgeons perform several Oral Cancer Surgeries depending on the severity, location, and stage of the cancer, some of which include:

 

  • Surgery for mouth and oropharyngeal: 

                            Trans Oral Surgery (for early-stage cancers) 

                            Open Surgery (for large-sized cancer)

  • Surgery to remove cancer through the mouth:

                            Transoral Laser Microsurgery (TLM) or Transoral Robotic Surgery (TORS)

  • Lip Surgery:

                           Mohs Micrographic Surgery

  • Surgery on the jawbone, which includes Mandibular Resection. Mandibular Resection consists of two types:

                          Partial Thickness Resection

                          Full Thickness Resection

  • Surgery on the hard palate (roof of the mouth):

                          Total Maxillectomy

                          Partial Maxillectomy

  • Surgery on the tongue:

                        Partial Glossectomy

                        Total Glossectomy

  • Surgery on the larynx (voice box):

                        Laryngectomy, followed by Tracheostomy

  • Surgery on the neck lymph nodes:

                          Neck Dissection
 

Specialists may use any one or multiple diagnostic or screening tests to determine if surgery is essential for your oral cancer, which include:

  • Biopsy, which involves removing a sample from the tumour to confirm malignancy. Sometimes, specialists may remove suspicious lymph nodes in the neck, known as a Selective Neck Dissection or a Sentinel Node Biopsy.
  • Endoscopic procedure, which involves passing a small, flexible camera with light, known as an endoscope, to look for malignancies.

  • Imaging tests, such as X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, computed tomography (CT) scans, or positron emission tomography (PET).

After the assessment, your cancer is staged, ranging from I to IV, with stage I diagnosed as being early or a lower stage and stage IV indicating advanced or metastasis. 

Before you undergo any Oral Cancer Surgery, our specialists will perform the following to ensure you are fit for the procedure:

  • A complete blood count, including organ function tests such as liver and blood-clotting factors, is evaluated. You will also be assessed for lung and heart function tests, such as breathing tests, echocardiograms (ECG) or cardiopulmonary exercise.
  • A nutritional assessment to examine your food intake and body mass index (BMI), and a full dental examination.

You will have a thorough discussion on the events of the procedure, the type of surgery, associated benefits and risks, and post-recovery instructions during your initial consultations with our specialist. 

 

General instructions you should follow before undergoing any Oral Cancer Surgery include:

  • Refraining from smoking or chewing tobacco
  • Skipping alcoholic beverages

  • Fasting for a certain period or as specified by our specialist before the procedure

  • Arranging for your transportation to and from the hospital and packing all your comforts for your stay at the hospital

  • Leaving your jewelleries or accessories behind before the procedure

  • Addressing any concerns or questions you have, and our specialists will resolve them promptly

  • Informing our specialist regarding medications, including vitamins, supplements, and prescription and nonprescription medicines

 

General complications may last for a few days or become permanent, although this mainly depends on your overall health, the type, and the site where the surgery is performed. Some complications include:

  • Infection, heavy bleeding, or severe pain around the surgical site
  • Fatigue

  • Swelling at the surgical site

  • Difficulty in swallowing, speaking, chewing, or opening the jaw, especially for long periods

  • Lymphedema

  • Drooling

  • Weight loss

  • Wound separation and excessive scarring

  • Nerve damage

  • Change in physical appearance

  • Oral fistula

For any Oral Cancer Surgery that you undergo, depending on your condition, a general anesthesia or sedative will be administered to numb your pain. The duration of your Oral Cancer Surgery will be based on the severity of the condition and the type of procedure performed. In some cases, Reconstructive Surgeries may be necessary to rebuild your mouth, which may take additional time or might be performed on a separate day. Our specialist will let you know what to expect and the duration of the procedure during your discussion.

After your Oral Cancer Surgery, you will be shifted to the recovery room. You may require hospitalisation for a few days. During your stay, proper instructions will be provided on taking care of your dressing, tubes, or drains before your discharge. You may experience significant pain and tiredness after the procedure, which will go away after a few days. A complete recovery may take several weeks, and our specialist will schedule follow-up appointments to monitor your progress. Moreover, during your recovery period, our specialist will recommend dietician, a physiotherapist and a speech and language therapist to assist you in your rehabilitation process.