What happened to Harriet's tongue after cancer surgery?

Half of Harriet's tongue was removed and rebuilt with skin from her arm.

Where was Harriet's cancer surgery performed?

Harriet's initial surgery was performed at University College London Hospital, and she later received treatment at The Christie Hospital in Manchester.

What is proton beam therapy?

Proton beam therapy is a type of radiotherapy that uses protons to precisely target and stop tumors.

Home / Health / Tattooed Tongue Saved by Arm Skin Graft

Tattooed Tongue Saved by Arm Skin Graft

6 Dec

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Summary

Half of Harriet's tongue was removed and rebuilt with skin from her arm.
Surgeons performed emergency surgery after initial reconstruction failed.
Harriet underwent proton beam therapy in Manchester following surgery.

Following her drama school graduation, Harriet faced a significant health challenge requiring immediate medical intervention. She underwent a six-hour surgery at University College London Hospital to excise cancerous tissue from her mouth. This procedure involved removing half of her tongue, which was then reconstructed using skin sourced from her arm, complete with a small semicolon tattoo.

However, the initial reconstruction faced complications. After two days, surgeons discovered that the blood vessels had not connected properly, necessitating emergency surgery to correct the issue and address damaged lymph nodes. This second procedure was critical for her recovery and functional restoration.

Since then, Harriet has been diligently relearning how to speak and swallow. She is currently undergoing further treatment in the form of proton beam therapy at The Christie Hospital in Manchester, a specialized form of radiotherapy aimed at precisely targeting any remaining tumor cells.