Partial glossectomy, commonly referred to as partial tongue removal, is a surgical procedure to remove a portion of the tongue. This procedure is typically performed on patients who have been diagnosed with oral cancer. Partial removal may be necessary to remove some of the tumors while maintaining the tongue’s functionality.

This procedure is typically used in conjunction with other cancer treatments including radiation or chemotherapy. A partial glossectomy is sometimes used to treat other conditions as well, such as an enlarged tongue or sleep apnea.

A patient may consider a partial glossectomy if they have abnormal growths or cancerous tumors on the tongue. This removal surgical procedure can prevent the tumor from spreading. When deciding if this procedure is the right option for a patient, your doctor will consider how effective it will be and how a patient can function after it. This procedure differs from a total glossectomy where the surgeon will remove the entire tongue and replace it with tissue from another part of the body.

Preparing for Your Procedure

During a partial glossectomy, the patient will be under general anesthesia to ensure their comfort throughout. The surgeon will begin by removing the diseased, cancerous portion of the tongue. This will ensure the cancerous tumor does not spread further. Next, they will close the incision with sutures. Oftentimes, the surgeon will use a graft to fill the hole left from the removal.

After the procedure, patients may not be allowed to eat or drink so the tongue can heal. They will be fed through a tube during this time. When patients are allowed to return to normal eating, it is typically recommended that they stick to a soft foods diet. Additionally, patients will typically see a speech and language therapist so they can learn to speak again. In terms of pain, it is very normal after a partial glossectomy. Your doctor will provide pain medications, mouthwash, and special toothpaste to ensure the tongue is properly clean to prevent infection.