How does an oral cancer patient look after surgery?
Oral cancer is a devastating disease, it leads to permanent disfigurement of face. Despite the best efforts and the best possible plastic surgery treatment, the facial deformity remains substantial.
Photo of a patient who had oral cancer:
The following patient had oral cancer involving the inner, and outer cheek and the lips. He had to undergo the removal of the cancer-affected parts. Now the defect is filled by the patient’s tissue from elsewhere (chest skin and muscle skin used here). It’s impossible to give shape and build each of the individual parts (lip, cheek and skin) with this tissue.
It is imperative to let the patient know beforehand that the patient will have a permanent facial deformity despite the best reconstructive efforts. This would help the patient to accept the trauma of facial disfigurement.
The patient should be counselled :
1. On the absence of beard hairs on the reconstructed region.
2. Drooling issues which may always not be easy to correct
3. Abnormal swelling and permanent face disfigurement.
4. Some difficulty in chewing and eating.
You may use the above image to raise awareness and educate your patients.
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Consent taken to publish the image for education purpose from the patient.