For small and medium-sized tumors of the tongue, that portion of the tongue can be removed. For large tumors of the tongue, the entire tongue might need to be removed. If the tumor involves the jaw, that portion of the jaw might need to be removed. If the cancer has spread to lymph nodes in the neck or if there is significant concern for spread to the neck even if no obvious spread of cancer to the neck is apparent, the lymph nodes of the neck are removed in a procedure called a neck dissection . Reconstruction of the throat is often necessary if a large tumor is removed.
Reconstruction is accomplished with skin grafts, or flaps of skin and muscle and possibly bone.
The risks of surgery are dependent on the surgery performed. When all or part of the tongue is removed, there will be varying degrees of impairment of speech and swallowing depending on the extent of the portion of the tongue resected. The risks associated with a neck dissection are discussed in that section. The risks of a particular surgery should be thoroughly explained by the surgeon prior to the surgery. Chemotherapy refers to medication given, usually intravenously, to destroy cancer cells.