How effective is tumour removal surgery for tongue cancer?

The surgeon removes the visible tumour with a margin of nearby tissue. The amount removed depends on whether the cancer is on the front or back part of the tongue and how deeply it has grown. Pathology checks the specimen and margins, while scans and examination help assess the neck lymph nodes.

Small, accessible tumours may be treated with a limited operation. More extensive disease may require a larger tongue resection, reconstruction, and treatment of neck nodes. Radiotherapy or medicines can be added when pathology or imaging shows features that need more than surgery alone.

Ask your head and neck team how much tongue tissue may be removed and how the plan protects speech, chewing, and swallowing. A speech and swallowing assessment can help set expectations and identify rehabilitation early.

Tell the team about weight loss, mouth pain, loose teeth, smoking, alcohol use, and medicines that affect bleeding. Follow instructions about eating, wound care, and exercises after the operation, and attend pathology and follow-up appointments.

Urgent assessment is needed for difficulty breathing, inability to swallow saliva, repeated choking, heavy bleeding, or rapidly increasing swelling of the mouth or neck. A persistent ulcer, new lump, numbness, or worsening pain also deserves prompt review.

Where is my tumour and how deep is it? Will the neck lymph nodes be assessed or treated? What changes to speech, chewing, taste, and swallowing should I prepare for, and could radiotherapy or medicines be needed afterwards?