What are the chances of having to get my tongue cut off and not being able to talk?

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%.

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=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.png
If it is I would need full glossectomy?

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"