In a complex and life-saving procedure, a team of surgical oncologists in Chennai successfully removed a large, advanced cancerous tumour from a patient's tongue and reconstructed the vital organ. The patient, a 41-year-old man with a history of smoking, is now on the path to recovery, though he faces challenges like regaining speech and coping with a diminished sense of taste.
A Life-Threatening Diagnosis and a Multi-Stage Battle
The case, described as "life-threatening" by doctors, involved a tumour the size of a lime that had aggressively spread. Senior consultant surgical oncologist Dr. Manikandan Venkatasubramaniyan explained that the cancer had invaded the floor of the mouth and reached the hyoid bone, a U-shaped bone in the neck. The patient had stopped eating due to severe pain, leading to significant weight loss.
The medical team at MGM Cancer Institute in Chennai adopted a multi-pronged treatment strategy. First, they used chemotherapy to shrink the substantial 5x3 cm tumour by half. This crucial step made the subsequent surgery more manageable. The surgical procedure was radical; to eliminate all traces of cancer and minimise recurrence risk, surgeons removed the entire affected portion of the tongue, the floor of the mouth, part of the jaw, and the hyoid bone.
The Art of Reconstruction: More Than Just Cosmetic
The removal was only half the battle. The next critical phase was rebuilding the tongue, an organ essential for swallowing, eating, and speech. Dr. Sivaram Ganesamoni, chief of surgical oncology, stated that they performed a free flap reconstruction. He emphasised that this was "not just cosmetic" but a functional necessity to restore the patient's ability to eat and communicate.
Following the surgery, the patient underwent a course of radiation therapy to target any remaining microscopic cancer cells. The treatment was deemed a success after PET scans confirmed there were no cancer cells left in the area.
The Road to Recovery and a Vital Warning
While the cancer is gone, recovery continues. The patient is currently on medication and undergoing speech therapy to regain normal speech. However, Dr. Manikandan noted a significant lasting effect: the patient will lose much of his sense of taste, as taste buds are located on the tongue. He may only perceive sweet and sour flavours mildly.
Doctors highlighted that there remains a 20% risk of relapse, but this can be reduced with proper symptom management and follow-up. Both specialists stressed a crucial public health message: cancer at any stage is treatable, if not always curable. Dr. Ganesamoni urged for early detection, stating it significantly improves outcomes.
He provided a simple self-check tip, especially for smokers: "Tongue cancer often masquerades as a painless lump. Pain signals advanced disease. We ask smokers to check their mouth in the mirror while brushing." For early-stage cancers, he added, robotic techniques allow for minimal scarring during surgery.
