The three main types of treatment for these cancers are surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. Most of these cancers will need surgery and /or radiotherapy. Chemotherapy is usually given when cancer has spread too far to be treated with surgery and radiotherapy.
- Surgery
- Radiation
- Medical Management
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Factors determining the surgical approach are the extent of the tumor and the structures involved. The main goal of the surgery is the complete removal of the tumor with negative margins, which means that there is no trace of cancer in the margin’s healthy tissue.
Some surgical procedures for the treatment of oropharyngeal cancers are: - Tumor resection – The surgeon removes as much of the tumor as possible and other tissues where cancer may have spread, such as lymph nodes or neck structures.
- Mandibulotomy –The surgeon gains access to the tumor by splitting the lip and mandible (lower jaw). Surgery may affect how you eat, breathe or talk and hence reconstruction of the removed section might be necessary. Reconstructive surgery is done using the microvascular technique.
- Transoral CO2 laser resection – This approach involves using specialized transoral endoscopes with an operating microscope coupled to a CO2 laser.
- Transoral robotic surgery –In selective patients, robot-assisted minimally invasive surgery is performed. Transoral robotic surgery gives the surgeon an enhanced view of the tumor and the surrounding tissue. Using a da Vinci robotic surgical system, the surgeon guides surgical tools through the mouth to access the tumor and remove/ resect it. This technique provides the surgeon with increased precision and stability. TORS reduces morbidities associated with traditional open surgery, thereby reducing hospital stay and aiding in faster recovery.
- Transoral Ultrasonic Surgery (TOUS) – This technique is a surgical alternative to the Transoral Robotic Surgery. During a TOUS, the surgeon uses endoscopic tools through the mouth) to access the oropharyngeal tumor. TOUS reduces morbidities associated with traditional open surgery, thereby reducing hospital stay and aiding in faster recovery.
- Speech or Swallowing therapy – The doctor may recommend rehabilitation to improve speech and swallowing function post-surgery.
