Tongue cancer is a type of cancer where a mutation in genes causes an uncontrolled growth of cells. Often, the doctors recommend undergoing radiation treatment and a surgical procedure. Since the tongue plays a crucial role in speaking, eating, and swallowing, the surgical process may result in temporary or permanent impairment of these functions.
However, modern medical science is more concerned about the quality of life. Hence, the focus has shifted toward organ-preserving surgery, which helps surgeons remove cancerous tissues while preserving the tongue’s normal functionality. During this procedure, intraoperative frozen section tools help potentially minimise the risk of healthy tissues or cells. Read the following article to learn more about organ-preserving surgery using intraoperative frozen section analysis.
Organ-Preserving Surgery for the Tongue
Organ-preserving surgery focuses on preserving the tongue’s structure and usability by removing only the cancerous portion. It is in contrast to conservative surgical techniques, which escalate the risk of the loss of the tongue’s shape and functionality. It improves the quality of life while reducing the need for radical surgery. Early medical intervention is crucial for achieving optimal outcomes. The open preserving surgery done in the initial stage helps the surgeon remove only cancerous cells while keeping the healthy portion of the tongue intact. This approach leads to faster recovery and an improved quality of life.
Voice and Swallowing Function Preservation
Without a doubt, preserving voice and swallowing function is an essential consideration when undergoing a surgical procedure. In organ-preserving surgery, there always remains the risk of complications, such as dysphagia and poor voice quality. When a qualified and experienced surgeon removes a portion of the larynx, they also ensure the functionality of the tongue, allowing for normal eating, swallowing, and speaking. Remember, voice rehabilitation is not the effort of a single doctor. It is possible with the support of a multidisciplinary team, which comprises an ENT surgeon, plastic surgeon, radiotherapist, speech therapist, dietician, and medical oncologist.
Use of Frozen Section During Surgery
A frozen section is a rapid intraoperative microscopic diagnosis of tissue. It is a pathological analysis that helps surgeons identify tissue margins, confirm the presence of cancerous lymph nodes, and plan a surgical approach. With this essential analysis, the surgeon can confirm that all cancerous tissue margins have been cleared, thereby preventing the risk of recurrence and resurgeries. It preserves the tongue’s shape and usability.
Conclusion
The success of tongue organ-preserving surgery depends on the patient's regular follow-up. It helps the doctor identify initial changes in the laryngeal topography, ensuring no recurrence of the disease. Book an appointment with Onco India to ensure the surgery using Frozen section analysis with high precision and efficiency.
