| | Joined: May 2013 Posts: 4 "OCF Canuck" Member | OP  "OCF Canuck" Member
Joined: May 2013 Posts: 4 | What are the chances of having to get my tongue cut off and not being able to talk? | | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | Have you been diagnosed with oral cancer? Have you told your parents and seen a medical professional yet?
I would say your chances of this happening are less than 1%.
ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive  | | | | | Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,264 Likes: 5 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,264 Likes: 5 | Hi there...
the term get your tongue cut off is - glossectomy.
A hemiglossectomy is where they remove half
a partial, is less than half. (in layman's terms)
How much is removed depends very much on size and location of the tumor. A small stage one tumor say on the side may require minimal removal.
A larger tumor, same area, may require removal of the area and a graft.
The same size tumor, in the middle back area of the tongue, may require a full glossectomy.
In this case they rebuild the tongue and people are able to do well with that. There are a few people here who've had this surgery and are able to talk and eat. It really depends on a lot of things. If you have cancer of the tongue, it has the potential to be HIGHLY aggressive. For the best chance of survival you need to get to a cancer center, with a top notch ENT - ;o)
best of luck.
Cheryl : Irritation - 2004 BX: 6/2008 : Inflam. BX: 12/10, DX: 12/10 : SCC - LS tongue well dif. T2N1M0. 2/11 hemigloss + recon. : PND - 40 nodes - 39 clear. 3/11 - 5/11 IMRT 33 + cis x2, PEG 3/28/11 - 5/19/11 3 head, 2 chest scans - clear(fingers crossed) HPV-, No smoke, drink, or drugs, Vegan
| | | | | Joined: May 2013 Posts: 4 "OCF Canuck" Member | | OP "OCF Canuck" Member
Joined: May 2013 Posts: 4 | [quote=Cheryld]Hi there... the term get your tongue cut off is - glossectomy. A hemiglossectomy is where they remove half a partial, is less than half. (in layman's terms) How much is removed depends very much on size and location of the tumor. A small stage one tumor say on the side may require minimal removal. A larger tumor, same area, may require removal of the area and a graft. The same size tumor, in the middle back area of the tongue, may require a full glossectomy. In this case they rebuild the tongue and people are able to do well with that. There are a few people here who've had this surgery and are able to talk and eat. It really depends on a lot of things. If you have cancer of the tongue, it has the potential to be HIGHLY aggressive. For the best chance of survival you need to get to a cancer center, with a top notch ENT - ;o) best of luck. [/quote] I'm not really sure what a tumor looks like but it look like the bump at the back of my tongue - http://i.imgur.com/u5Z4lSb.pngIf it is I would need full glossectomy? | | | | | Joined: Mar 2013 Posts: 421 Likes: 1 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2013 Posts: 421 Likes: 1 | Various,
While this site is chock full of experience and information, you're best served seeing an ENT that is familiar or specializes in H&N/Oral cancers to diagnose your symptoms. an examination and subsequent tests are the only way to determine what's going on.
I recommend getting examined at a CCC (comprehensive cancer center). I'm sure there's a list of centers in Canada.
Good luck and keep us informed!
"T"
57
Cardiac bypass 11/07
Cardiac stents 10/2012
Dx'd 11/30/2012 Tx N2b MO Stage IV HPV+
Palatine Tonsillectomy/Biopsies 12-21-12
Selective Neck Dissection/Lingual Tonsillectomy/biopsies TORS 2/7/13
Emergency Surgery/Bleeding 2/18/13
3/13/2013 30rads/6chemo
Finished Tx 4/24/13
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