What happened to the 41-year-old smoker's tongue at MGM Cancer Institute?

Doctors removed a lime-sized advanced cancer tumor from his tongue and reconstructed it.

Can tongue cancer be treated if it reaches the hyoid bone?

Yes, it can be treated with chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation, though outcomes vary.

What are the long-term effects of tongue cancer surgery in Chennai?

Patients may regain speech and eating abilities but often lose a significant sense of taste.

Home / Health / Surgeon Saves Smoker's Tongue After Cancer Attack

Surgeon Saves Smoker's Tongue After Cancer Attack

7 Jan

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Summary

Lime-sized tumor removed from a 41-year-old smoker's tongue.
Cancer invaded mouth floor and hyoid bone, requiring reconstruction.
Patient may lose most taste, though eating and speech are expected to recover.

Surgeon Saves Smoker's Tongue After Cancer Attack

Doctors at Chennai's MGM Cancer Institute have successfully treated a 41-year-old smoker by removing a lime-sized tumor from his tongue. The advanced cancer had spread to the mouth floor and hyoid bone, presenting a life-threatening situation. Initial chemotherapy helped shrink the tumor, allowing surgeons to remove the affected parts of the tongue, mouth floor, jaw, and hyoid bone.

The reconstructed tongue was vital for restoring the patient's ability to eat and speak, which had been severely impacted by pain and weight loss. Following the surgery, the patient underwent radiation therapy. PET scans conducted after the radiation course confirmed the absence of cancer cells, marking a successful outcome in his treatment.

While the patient is expected to regain normal speech and eating functions over time, he will likely experience a significant reduction in his sense of taste. Doctors emphasize that cancer is treatable at all stages, and early detection dramatically improves outcomes, with minimally invasive robotic techniques available for early-stage cases.