... and this is my first post, right after registering. I have a swollen tongue after having its right base removed for a small primary site (squamous cell carcinoma, HPV-related) It was robotic (Da Vinci) surgery.

In any case, I believe tongues swell up when the lymphatic fluid in them no longer has a clear path to drain, fibrous tissue or scar blocking the flow, or no gland to empty into. I have not solved the problem, and I've been told that the lymphedema is likely a lifetime condition. I come here now looking for someone who knows a good manual drainage method for the tongue.

best wishes, Jon

SCC, HPV-related P16 Stage III T1N1M0
(prim. site rt base of tongue, 1.5 cm, 1 lymph node, nearly 3 cm)
Rad neck dissection 5/19/17 no probs
TORS 5/26/17 remove rt tonsil and divot at rt base of tongue
Arterial bleed at surgical site 5/31/17, 5 days intubated and sedated
Asp. pneumonia, hosp acquired pneumonia, DVTs
Tot 13 days in ICU
31 days targeted rad, until 9/21/17
No evidence of disease since
Still G-tube dep
Very grateful to be alive