Tongue Cancer Surgery Specialist in Ahmedabad

What is tongue cancer?

Tongue cancer is a squamous cell carcinoma that develops in the surface lining of the tongue. The front two-thirds of the tongue, the part you can see and move, belongs to the oral cavity, and cancers here are a form of oral cancer. The back third, the base of tongue, is part of the oropharynx and behaves more like a throat cancer, with a stronger link to HPV infection.

Most tongue cancers begin on the lateral border, the side edge of the tongue that rests against the teeth. From there the tumour can grow deeper into the tongue muscle, across the midline, into the floor of the mouth and jaw, and to the lymph nodes of the neck. The depth of invasion, measured in millimetres on the biopsy or final specimen, is one of the strongest predictors of whether the neck is involved and guides the whole plan.

Symptoms of tongue cancer

• An ulcer on the side of the tongue that does not heal within three weeks
• A red or white patch, or a mixed red-and-white area, on the tongue
• A lump or firm area that can be felt within the tongue
• Pain in the tongue, especially with spicy food, or pain radiating to the ear
• Bleeding from the tongue without an obvious cause
• Numbness of the tongue or restricted tongue movement
• Change in speech, or difficulty chewing and swallowing
• A painless lump in the upper neck below the jaw

Cancers at the base of the tongue are hidden from view and may present only with a sore throat, a feeling of something stuck, ear pain or a neck lump. Any of these symptoms lasting more than three weeks deserves examination by a head and neck specialist.

Causes and risk factors

Tobacco chewing, gutkha and areca nut (supari) are the dominant causes of tongue cancer in Gujarat, with smoking and alcohol adding to the risk. A sharp tooth or broken denture rubbing constantly against one spot on the tongue is a well-recognised contributor, which is why an ulcer that keeps returning at the same place should never be dismissed. HPV infection accounts for a rising share of base-of-tongue cancers, particularly in younger people who have never used tobacco. Our article on modern tongue cancer treatments, from tobacco risks to technology discusses these trends.

Diagnosis and staging

1. 01

   Examination and biopsy

   Dr. Patel examines the whole mouth, throat and neck, then takes a punch biopsy of the lesion under local anaesthesia. The pathology report confirms squamous cell carcinoma and, where possible, the depth of invasion.

2. 02

   MRI or CT of the face and neck

   MRI shows the tongue muscles in detail and is preferred for measuring how deep the tumour extends; CT is better for bone and lymph nodes. Both are often used together.

3. 03

   Ultrasound-guided neck node assessment

   Suspicious nodes are sampled by fine-needle aspiration so that the neck can be staged before surgery.

4. 04

   PET-CT for advanced disease

   For larger tumours or multiple involved nodes, PET-CT checks the lungs and body for distant spread before committing to major surgery.

Newer tests are beginning to refine risk assessment. See molecular markers and genetic profiling in tongue cancer for how these may shape treatment in the coming years.

Tongue cancer treatment in Ahmedabad

Surgery is the treatment of choice for cancers of the oral tongue at every stage where the tumour can be removed completely. Radiotherapy, with or without chemotherapy, is added afterwards for higher-risk cases. For base-of-tongue cancers, transoral robotic or laser surgery and radiotherapy-based treatment are both options, chosen at a tumour board.

Partial glossectomy

The tumour is removed with a margin of at least one centimetre of healthy tongue on all sides. Small defects are closed directly and heal with very little effect on function. Dr. Patel uses frozen-section examination during surgery to confirm that the margins are clear before closing, because a positive margin is the single most important cause of recurrence. Our article on why clear margins matter in tongue cancer surgery explains the evidence.

Hemiglossectomy and reconstruction

When half the tongue or more must be removed, the defect is rebuilt with a free flap, most commonly a radial forearm or anterolateral thigh flap, connected under a microscope to blood vessels in the neck. The reconstructed tongue restores bulk, allows the remaining tongue to move freely and keeps the airway safe. Read more on our reconstructive surgery page.

Neck dissection

Even when no node can be felt, tongue cancers more than a few millimetres deep spread to hidden lymph nodes in about one in four patients. Dr. Patel therefore performs an elective selective neck dissection for most tongue cancers, removing the node groups at risk while preserving the accessory nerve, jugular vein and sternomastoid muscle. When nodes are already involved, a more comprehensive clearance is performed. See neck dissection in tongue cancer: why lymph node removal matters.

Why Dr. Parin Patel for tongue cancer

• Fellowship-trained Head, Neck and Skull Base Surgical Oncologist with more than thirteen years of experience
• High-volume oral and tongue cancer surgery at HCG Aastha Cancer Centre, Ahmedabad
• FHNO gold medal (Kolkata, 2018) for compartment neck clearance technique
• Frozen-section margin control and microvascular reconstruction in the same sitting
• Speech and swallowing therapy integrated from the first post-operative week

Learn more about his training on the about page, or read understanding tongue cancer surgery treatment and recovery in Ahmedabad for a patient-focused overview.

Recovery, speech and swallowing

After a small partial glossectomy, most patients speak and swallow soft food within days and go home in two to three days. After hemiglossectomy with a free flap, the hospital stay is about a week; a feeding tube is used for the first one to two weeks, and speech is understandable within days and improves steadily over three to six months as swelling settles and the tongue is retrained.

A speech and swallowing therapist begins exercises before discharge, guiding tongue mobility, articulation and safe swallowing. This structured programme, described on our rehabilitation page and in tongue cancer surgery recovery and speech therapy in Ahmedabad, makes the biggest difference to long-term quality of life.

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