BGS Gleneagles Global Hospital successfully treats a 52-year- old schoolteacher, suffering from advanced oral cancer. In the month of September 2021, Mr. Nitin (Name Changed) presented with a large ulcer over the lateral border of the tongue. After a few rounds of tests, the doctor’s detected Squamous cell carcinoma covering a major portion of his tongue. Before the tumor could spread, an expert team of doctors including the surgical oncologist and the plastic surgeon decided to perform a glossectomy. After taking consent from the patient’s family, the team removed 60% of his tongue and performed reconstructive surgery as a curative treatment, helping him get back his ability to swallow and speak like a normal person.
India has the highest number of oral cancer cases in Asia. The oral cancer rates are increasing rapidly with nearly half a million new cases being diagnosed each year. It is mainly caused by chewing tobacco and smoking. This can be treated by removing the tumor surgically for curative treatment with a good functional outcome.
Mr. Nitin (Name Changed), a 52-year-old schoolteacher from Karnataka presented with a cancerous ulcer involving more than half of his tongue. He was a regular consumer of tobacco for 5 years triggering tongue cancers. After going through distress in his mouth for a prolonged period of time with difficulty in speech and swallowing, Mr. Nitin approached Dr. Karthik Prasad explaining his condition. The doctor performed a few rounds of tests including CT scans and biopsy, showing Squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue. The treatment method was planned by the oncologist according to the tumors size and extent of the disease. Since it was a planned surgery, the team accessed the severity and without a further delay, performed glossectomy, removing 60% of the patient’s tongue. With the help of the plastic surgeon, using a free flap (tissue taken from a body part) a reconstruction surgery of his tongue was performed on September 25 th, 2021.
Dr. Karthik K Prasad, Surgical Oncologist, BGS Gleneagles Global Hospital: Mr. Nitin had an advanced tumor on his tongue, and it had to be removed without further delay. Being a schoolteacher losing his ability to speak would have been a major disability in his life. Hence, our robust medical professionals reconstructed a tongue with a free flap, which helped him regain his ability to swallow, speak and get back to his teaching job.
The surgery took about 10-12 hours as cancer affected more than half of his tongue. The surgery was performed by a team of experts including Dr. Karthik K Prasad, a Surgical Oncologist, Dr. Nataraj Naidu, Surgical oncologist, Dr. Naveen Kumar, Plastic Surgeon along with the Anaesthesia and ICU team supported by dedicated nursing staff. After the surgery, Mr. Nitin underwent radiation therapy planned and given by Dr. Mathangi J, Senior Consultant and Radiation oncologist, Department in-charge, BGS Gleneagles Global Hospital.
Dr. Natraj Naidu, Surgical Oncologist, BGS Gleneagles Global Hospital: It is essential to diagnose oral cancer at an earlier stage before it is too late. Some of the prominent symptoms include a lump in the cheek, a white or red patch on the gums, tongue, tonsil, or lining of the mouth, and a sore or lesion in the mouth that does not heal within two weeks cases require immediate attention.
Sandeep Kumar, CEO, BGS Gleneagles Global Hospital: After the diagnosis, it is vital to understand the stage of cancer which can be detected through tumor size and how far it has spread in the mouth. Accordingly, the treatment method is planned by the doctors.
Currently, Mr. Nitin is doing well and can do his day-to-day activities. He will be able to go back to his school in the month of January and give lectures to his students without much difficulty.
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