Surgical oncology
Oral (mouth) cancer surgery
Removal of a cancer of the mouth or tongue with clear margins, and assessment of the neck lymph nodes — usually as part of a combined treatment plan.
In plain language
What this operation is
Oral cancer commonly presents as an ulcer in the mouth or on the tongue that does not heal, a white or red patch that persists, a lump in the mouth or neck, or difficulty and pain on chewing or swallowing.
In Bangladesh the association with chewing tobacco, betel quid and gutka is strong and well established. A non-healing mouth ulcer in someone who chews is a finding that needs assessment, not another course of ointment.
Treatment usually combines surgery with radiotherapy, and sometimes chemotherapy. Surgery removes the tumour with a margin and addresses the neck lymph nodes where indicated.
Who it is for
When this operation is advised
- A mouth or tongue ulcer that has not healed within three weeks
- A persistent white or red patch in the mouth
- A lump in the mouth, jaw or neck
- Difficulty or pain on chewing, swallowing or moving the tongue
And when it is not. Most mouth ulcers heal within a couple of weeks and are not cancer. It is the ulcer that does not heal, particularly in someone who uses tobacco or betel quid, that needs examination.
How it works
From assessment to follow-up
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01
First consultation
History, examination and review of every report and film you already have. Bring the actual films, not only the printed summaries.
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02
Diagnosis and staging
Biopsy confirms the diagnosis; imaging establishes how far the disease has gone. No treatment plan is made before this.
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03
The plan
Whether surgery is the right step, and in what order relative to chemotherapy or radiotherapy — agreed with you before anything is booked.
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04
Treatment and follow-up
The operation where appropriate, then the pathology report, and continuing follow-up.
Afterwards
What recovery involves
Recovery differs between patients. What follows is what usually happens — your own timeframe is given at discharge, based on the operation you actually had.
- Recovery depends on the operation performed and on your general health.
- A written discharge plan, wound-care guidance and a follow-up appointment are given before you leave.
- The pathology report usually takes some days and is discussed with you at follow-up.
- Whether further treatment is advised is decided once that report is available.
When to go to hospital instead
Difficulty breathing, heavy bleeding from the mouth, or inability to swallow needs emergency care.
Common questions
Questions patients ask
Anything not covered here can be answered at the consultation.
01 How long should a mouth ulcer take to heal?
Ordinary ulcers usually settle within two weeks. One that has not healed after three weeks should be examined, especially if you use tobacco or betel quid.
Warning signs02 Does chewing tobacco or paan really cause mouth cancer?
The association is strong and well established. Chewing tobacco, betel quid and gutka are major risk factors for oral cancer, and stopping reduces that risk.
Risk03 মুখের ঘা না শুকালে কী করব?
সাধারণ ঘা দুই সপ্তাহের মধ্যে শুকিয়ে যায়। তিন সপ্তাহেও না শুকালে, বিশেষ করে যদি পান-জর্দা বা গুল খাওয়ার অভ্যাস থাকে, তাহলে অবশ্যই পরীক্ষা করানো দরকার। মলম লাগিয়ে ফেলে রাখবেন না।
করণীয়Next step
Bring your reports to a consultation
Often one visit is enough to know whether an operation is needed at all.