Why do patients choose foreign clinics for the treatment of tongue cancer?
The main method of treating tongue cancer in domestic hospitals is partial or complete removal of the organ. Abroad, specialists use laser and ultrasound, which preserve the tissues of the tongue as much as possible. If surgery is indicated, foreign doctors perform a partial removal of the organ with its subsequent restoration.
How to choose a clinic for the diagnosis and treatment of tongue cancer?
When choosing a medical institution, pay attention to:
- qualification of an ENT oncologist;
- methods of treatment used by clinic specialists;
- accreditations and certificates of the department where tongue cancer is treated.
Tongue Cancer Diagnosis
Comprehensive diagnosis of tongue cancer includes:
- biopsy - sampling of neoplasm tissue for analysis;
- histology - a laboratory study of a tumor, which determines its malignancy;
- Chest CT - detects metastases in the lungs;
- positron emission computed tomography (PET-CT) - determines the prevalence of the tumor in the body.
Treatment Methods
Removal of the tumor
- Non-surgical removal
Intervention is indicated for patients with tumors up to 4 cm. Doctors excise the tumor with a laser or ultrasound.
Advantages: unlike other methods, the procedure preserves healthy tissues as much as possible.
Disadvantages: Large neoplasms cannot be removed with laser and ultrasound.
- Glossectomy
This is a partial or complete removal of the language. Surgeons perform interventions for tumors larger than 4 cm.
Advantages: during the operation, surgeons excise large neoplasms.
Disadvantages: the procedure causes organ dysfunction. After a glossectomy, it is necessary to carry out the reconstruction of the tongue.
Radiation therapy
Types of radiation therapy for tongue cancer:
- therapeutic - destroys small tumors without surgical intervention;
- neoadjuvant - reduces the neoplasm before its removal;
- adjuvant - affects the pathological cells that remain after the operation;
- palliative - stops tumor growth and reduces symptoms in the last stages.
Chemotherapy
Types of chemistry for tongue cancer:
- therapeutic - destroys small tumors without surgery;
- induction - reduces neoplasms before surgery;
- adjuvant - destroys malignant cells that have not been removed;
- palliative - improves the quality of life in the last stages.
In most cases, doctors do chemotherapy along with radiation therapy.
Duration of treatment
The duration of treatment depends on the prescribed procedures. Surgery for tongue cancer takes 1 to 4 hours. Depending on the extent of the intervention, the patient stays in the clinic for 1-14 days. Radiation therapy lasts from 1 to 7 weeks, chemotherapy - up to 6 months.
Stages of treatment
- The patient comes to the medical facility for a consultation. An ENT oncologist studies the medical history, the results of previous tests, if necessary, sends for an additional examination.
- The patient undergoes procedures prescribed by a specialist.
- An ENT oncologist selects the most effective treatment for tongue cancer and makes predictions.
How is the treatment going?
Removal of the tumor
Depending on the size of the neoplasm, the doctor removes it with a laser, ultrasonic scissors, or with a scalpel.
After traditional surgery, a reconstructive plastic surgeon reconstructs the tongue with a skin flap. He takes the material for the procedure from the chest, thigh, forearm or back of the patient.
Radiation therapy
Radiation oncologists perform irradiation by the following methods:
- remote - using a linear accelerator. Specialists perform an MRI, which accurately determines the location of the tumor. After that, they set the intensity and direction of the beam to the linear accelerator. The device accurately affects the affected tissues without damaging healthy ones.
- Contact (brachytherapy) – specialists using needles for 1 week granules with radioactive material are placed in the tumor. The substance destroys pathological cells and does not harm the entire body.
Life after tongue cancer
Surgical treatment of tongue cancer can impair its function. Therefore, speech therapists work with patients - they help restore the functioning of the organ.
Questions about tongue cancer treatment
- Can stage 4 tongue cancer be cured?
In the last stages, palliative treatment is indicated, which reduces symptoms and improves quality of life.
- Is it necessary to come to the clinic for a consultation?
We can arrange a remote consultation. Learn more about this from your Bookimed medical coordinator.
Organization of tongue cancer treatment in foreign clinics
To undergo tongue cancer treatment abroad, leave a request on the Bookimed website. You will be contacted by a specialized coordinating doctor who will help you choose a clinic.
Send us your medical records. We will send them to the medical center of your choice and request a treatment program.
The medical coordinator will help you organize your trip and will stay in touch with you throughout your treatment - from the moment you contact us and even after you return home.
Payment
Bookimed services are free for patients. Our work - consulting, selection of clinics, organization of treatment, information support - is paid for by clinics, since we take on some of the functions of their departments for working with foreign patients. Our services do not affect your bill from the clinic. You pay it directly to the cash desk of the medical center. There are several payment methods: cash, bank transfer, payment by card through the terminal. You can learn more about the terms of payment in a particular medical center from the Bookimed coordinator.
Warranty
We understand how difficult it is to make a choice when it comes to your health or the health of your loved ones. That is why we strive to provide you with the most complete and objective information about the treatment. Medical institutions provide us with statistics: how many procedures were performed by their specialists and how many of them were most effective. We collect feedback from our patients . They share their personal experiences and opinions about the clinics where they have undergone procedures, the treating doctors and Bookimed services. Register on the site to ask them questions in the comments.