Oral cavity malignancies are almost always initially treated with surgery. Occasionally other treatments such as radiation therapy and chemotherapy are also required to optimise the chance of cure.

For small cancers, surgery may be more limited and performed entirely through the mouth.

Oral cavity cancers often spread to lymph nodes in the neck and in many circumstances, management of nodes in the neck via a neck dissection operation is also required at the time of surgery.

A thorough examination and workup with biopsy and scans is required to make a well-informed decision on treatment. Your surgeon will discuss with you the required treatment and the implications. Reconstructive techniques are considered to optimise long-term speech and swallowing function.