What should you know about mouth cancer surgery?

The operation may involve the lip, tongue, gums, cheek, floor of the mouth or roof of the mouth. The surgeon aims to remove the visible cancer with a surrounding margin. If nearby lymph nodes need assessment, neck surgery may be discussed. The extent of removal depends on examination, scans and biopsy findings.

Some people need reconstruction to help restore the shape of the mouth, swallowing, speech or appearance. A dental, speech and swallowing team may contribute before or after treatment. Healing can affect eating and mouth movement for a while, and the team will explain expected changes for your particular procedure.

Ask which areas will be removed, whether lymph nodes will be checked, and whether reconstruction is planned. Tell the team about medicines, smoking or vaping, dental problems, allergies and any difficulty swallowing. Arrange help with meals, transport and communication during early recovery.

Follow wound, mouth-care and diet instructions closely. Keep follow-up appointments so the team can review healing and the laboratory result, and so rehabilitation can begin when needed. A second opinion can help if you want another specialist view of the proposed operation.

Contact your surgical team promptly for bleeding that does not settle with the instructions given, increasing swelling, fever, worsening pain, pus, wound separation or difficulty breathing. Urgent help is needed for severe breathing trouble or bleeding that is difficult to control. New swallowing or speech problems after recovery also deserve review.

Which part of my mouth will be treated, and how might this affect eating, speech or appearance? Will lymph nodes be assessed? Could I need reconstruction, dental care, radiotherapy or rehabilitation? What symptoms after discharge should trigger an urgent call?