A glossectomy is the surgical removal of all or part of the tongue, performed to curtail malignant growth such as oral cancer. When only part of the tongue is removed the procedure is called a partial removal or hemiglossectomy, and when the entire tongue is removed it is called a total glossectomy; a midline glossectomy reduces the size of the base of the tongue and is sometimes used to treat sleep apnea.
Facts
FAQs
Can a person still speak and swallow after a glossectomy?
After a partial glossectomy most people can still speak, though speech is often less clear.
It depends on how much of the tongue is removed. The American Cancer Society says most people can still speak if only part of the tongue is removed, but they often notice that their speech is not as clear as it once was. The tongue is important in swallowing, so swallowing may also be affected, and speech therapy can often help with these problems. This describes general information and is not medical advice.
Connections
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Source Glossectomy (Wikipedia)
Sources
1. Wikipedia
Wikipedia contributors, Wikimedia Foundation
Glossectomy (Wikipedia)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossectomy, lead section
A glossectomy is the surgical removal of all or part of the tongue.
- Treats: Oral Cancer, intro para 1
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