Oral Tumors Surgery at Tooth Mate Clinic

What are Oral Tumors?

• Oral tumors are abnormal cell growth in various oral tissues including lips, tongue, inner cheeks, gums, palate, floor of mouth, and salivary glands. These tumors may be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous) and require accurate diagnosis and immediate treatment.

• Oral tumors occur due to several factors including smoking, alcohol consumption, chronic sun exposure, HPV infection, poor oral hygiene, and genetic factors. Early detection of these tumors significantly increases chances of complete recovery.

• Diagnosis of oral tumors requires careful clinical examination and taking a sample (biopsy) from affected tissue for microscopic analysis and tumor type determination. X-rays, CT scans, and MRI are also used to determine tumor spread extent.

• Treatment of oral tumors depends on tumor type, size, location, and stage. Treatment may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or combination of these treatments. Surgery remains the main treatment for most oral tumors and involves tumor excision with safety margin from healthy tissues.

Oral Tumors Symptoms

• Ulcer or sore in mouth that doesn't heal within two weeks

• Lump or thickening in cheek, lip, or gum

• White or red patches in mouth that don't disappear

• Unexplained bleeding or pain in mouth

• Difficulty chewing, swallowing, or moving jaw

Types of Oral Tumors

Benign Tumors

Non-cancerous tumors that grow slowly and don't spread to other body parts, but may cause local problems

Fibroma

Papilloma

Adenoma

Malignant Tumors

Cancerous tumors that grow rapidly and spread to adjacent tissues, lymph nodes, and other body organs

Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)

Salivary Gland Cancer

Connective Tissue Sarcoma

Precancerous Lesions

Changes in oral tissues that may turn into malignant tumors if not treated

Leukoplakia

Hairy Leukoplakia

Erythroplakia

Oral Cysts

Fluid or air-filled sacs that form in oral and jaw tissues

Dentigerous Cyst

Radicular Cyst

Articular Cyst

Oral Tumors Diagnosis Methods

• Comprehensive Clinical Examination: Careful examination of mouth, neck, and lymph nodes to detect any masses or abnormal tissue changes. Doctor uses optical endoscopes to examine areas difficult to see with naked eye.

• Biopsy Taking: Procedure where small sample of suspicious tissue is taken for microscopic examination. There are several biopsy types including excisional biopsy, incisional biopsy, and fine needle biopsy depending on tumor size and location.

• Radiographic Imaging: Using panoramic X-rays, CT scans, and MRI to determine tumor size and spread extent in bones and surrounding soft tissues. Imaging helps in precise surgery planning.

• Advanced Examinations: In some cases, Positron Emission Tomography (PET Scan) may be used to detect distant tumor spread, or endoscopy may be used to examine upper airways and digestive passages.

Oral Tumors Treatment Methods

Surgical Treatment

Surgical excision of tumor with safety margin from healthy tissues to ensure complete tumor removal

Tumor excision with tissue preservation

Neck lymph node excision

Microscopic endoscopic surgeries

Reconstructive Surgeries

Rebuilding lost tissues and bones after tumor excision to restore function and appearance

Skin and soft tissue grafting

Bone grafting from other body areas

Using artificial grafts and substitutes

Oral Tumors Surgery Recovery Stages

First Stage (1-4 weeks)

Hospital recovery period and immediate post-surgical care

Hospital stay for monitoring for 2-7 days

Feeding via tube or liquids only

Wound care and intensive pain management

Second Stage (1-6 months)

Rehabilitation phase and restoration of normal oral function

Physical therapy exercises to restore jaw and tongue movement

Speech therapy sessions to improve pronunciation and speech

Periodic follow-up to detect any recurrences