Head & Neck Cancer Surgery in India

Head and neck cancer covers a group of cancers arising in the mouth, tongue, throat (pharynx and larynx), thyroid, salivary glands, and sinuses. Surgery is a primary treatment for many of these cancers, particularly when detected early, and the specific operation depends heavily on where the tumor is and how far it has spread.

Common types of surgery

For oral and tongue cancers, surgery removes the tumor with a margin of healthy tissue, sometimes requiring reconstruction if a significant portion of tissue is removed. For laryngeal (voice box) cancer, surgery can range from removing part of the larynx to a total laryngectomy for more advanced cases, which affects natural speech and requires alternative voice methods afterward. Thyroid cancer surgery typically involves removing part or all of the thyroid gland, and generally has a favourable outlook compared to other head and neck cancers. Salivary gland tumors are removed along with surrounding tissue, with care taken to protect nearby facial nerves.

Neck dissection

Because head and neck cancers often spread first to lymph nodes in the neck, a neck dissection, removing some or all of the lymph nodes on one or both sides of the neck, is frequently performed alongside the main tumor surgery. Whether this is needed, and how extensive it needs to be, depends on imaging findings and the type and stage of the primary cancer.

Reconstruction and what to expect

For cancers involving the tongue, jaw, or throat, reconstruction using tissue from another part of the body may be needed to restore function and appearance. Recovery can affect speech, swallowing, or voice depending on the site and extent of surgery, and speech and swallowing therapy is often part of the recovery plan. Depending on the final pathology and stage, radiation or chemotherapy may be recommended after surgery.