A medical team in Krasnodar successfully treated a patient with stage 2 tongue cancer by using tissue harvested from his forearm to reconstruct the tongue. The report came from AiF-South, detailing a careful and lengthy surgical process that aimed to restore essential functions such as eating, speaking, and breathing.
The patient, a 47-year-old man with a long history of smoking extending over three decades, first noticed a persistent ulcer along the edge of his tongue about three months prior. He delayed seeking care, postponing a visit until mouth pain intensified and eating became difficult. This delay can complicate outcomes in oral cancers, underscoring the critical role of early detection and timely treatment for head and neck malignancies.
Diagnosed as stage 2 tongue cancer, the case presented a surgical challenge: the native tongue tissue could not be repaired adequately using local tissues alone. To achieve a durable reconstruction, surgeons opted to transfer tissue from the forearm, creating a flap that would restore both form and function. This approach allowed the team to rebuild a usable tongue surface while preserving the patient’s ability to swallow and articulate speech, which are essential for quality of life after such procedures.
During the operation, the flap was carefully detached, and the tumor was removed. The transplant required meticulous microvascular work, with surgeons connecting small blood vessels to ensure the new tissue would survive. The vessels in the operative field were minute, measuring less than 3 millimeters in diameter, which demanded precision and steady hands from the entire surgical team. The procedure was conducted under the guidance of advanced microscopic techniques to confirm the patency and perfusion of each vessel connection before closing the surgical site.
According to AiF-South, two teams of surgeons collaborated for eight hours to complete the intricate reconstruction. Their shared goal was to allow the patient to maintain essential daily functions, including the ability to eat, breathe, and speak, while laying the groundwork for ongoing treatment. After the surgery, attention shifted to a comprehensive follow-up plan that would address residual disease and support recovery in the months ahead. The patient was advised to anticipate long-term radiological evaluation and systemic therapy as part of the overall treatment strategy, reflecting current practices in cancer care where a multimodal approach often yields better disease control and functional outcomes.
Experts emphasize that mouth ulcers, persistent sores, or unusual bleeding in the oral cavity can be early signs of oral cancer. When detected early, treatment options are often less invasive, and survival odds tend to improve. In the broader context of head and neck cancers, timely medical attention remains a crucial factor in achieving favorable results and maintaining quality of life after treatment.
Across the country, studies and reports have highlighted a tendency for individuals to delay seeking medical advice for head and neck symptoms. Early professional evaluation can significantly influence prognosis by enabling earlier-stage diagnosis and more effective intervention. Public awareness about oral health signs, risk factors like tobacco use, and the importance of prompt medical consultation continues to be a vital component of reducing late-stage presentations and improving outcomes for patients facing these cancers.