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See also cancers of the mouth and face
If my cancer is treated surgically, how much tissue will be
removed and what will it look and feel like?
Not all cancers are treated surgically, which will be explained
to you by your doctor, specialist surgeon or dentist (for oral
and facial cancers).
The details of any surgery will depend on the type, position
size and progression of your cancer. The surgeon will want to
remove sufficient tissue to make an accurate diagnosis, to determine
the extent of the spread of the cancer but the surgeon will also
want to preserve the appearance and function of the area affected.
The two need to be balanced and sometimes it will be necessary
to 'reconstruct' the area to maintain both appearance and function.
What is reconstruction after mouth or face cancer?
The restoration of acceptable function and appearance of the
moth and face are very important to patients with mouth or face
cancer. We need these tissues to function well to enable us to
eat, drink, swallow, speak and even smile. When tissue is removed
after cancer surgery, it can leave gaps that need to be replaced
to restore or 'reconstruct' these functions.
What does reconstruction involve?
Reconstructive surgery is a very specialist area. Happily, over
the past few decades, there have been many advances in surgical
techniques for reconstruction. These now make it possible for
surgeons to an acceptable result after surgery.
These advances include the use of micro vascular and microneural
techniques, which can be used to attach even small blood vessels
and nerves within tissues.
Sometimes it is necessary to move skin, muscle, bone and other
tissues from one 'donor' part of the body to the affected mouth
and face areas. These are often called 'flaps', because they used
to be moved from one site to another. The need for flaps and the
site of this donor tissue will be carefully explained to you -
it will be chosen for its suitability in terms of safety, appearance
and function.
Surgeons can also use plates and mesh techniques particularly
for reconstruction of the jaws.
Will reconstruction mean I will look and feel as I did before
the surgery?
The overall success of reconstructive surgery depends on the
type, position, size and progression of your cancer and the type
of surgery used. We endeavour to restore as much function and
appearance as possible. Your surgeon will explain to you what
is possible and likely in the short, medium and long term.
The Unit can also put you in touch with people who have had various
types of surgery (eg AboutFace), who can explain to you what you
are likely to encounter - and they can help health professionals
to support you during the process.
See also Prostheses
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