What is Oral Cancer Surgery?
The oral cavity includes the tongue, floor of the mouth, inner cheek, hard palate and the gum and jawbone. Tumours are assessed for depth of invasion, closeness to the jawbone, and whether they approach the nerves supplying the tongue, lip and chin. A small tumour may be excised through the mouth and closed directly, while a deeper tumour may need a composite resection with part of the jaw removed and a free tissue flap to rebuild what is taken. How much tissue must go for a clear margin drives the plan.





