1. Introduction & Overview
Head and neck cancers may affect the oral cavity, tongue, throat, thyroid, larynx, and surrounding regions.
Dr. Parveen Mendiratta specializes in advanced surgical management for:
- Oral Cancer: Precision resections of tumors inside the mouth, cheek, and gums, prioritizing maximum safe margins.
- Tongue Cancer: Glossectomy procedures designed to clear tumors while maximizing functional preservation.
- Mandible & Maxilla Bone Cutting: Excision of involved jawbone segments (mandiblectomy / maxillectomy) when cancer cells invade or lie close to the bone.
- Flap Reconstruction: Rebuilding complex post-tumor tissue defects using local tissue transfer techniques to safely cover defects and restore facial structure.
- Thyroid Cancer: Partial or total thyroidectomies utilizing real-time intraoperative laryngeal nerve monitoring.
- Neck Tumors: Selective and radical neck dissections to systematically eliminate nodal metastases.
- Salivary Gland Tumors: Advanced clearances of parotid and submandibular tumors with facial nerve protection.
Treatment planning focuses on effective cancer removal while preserving function and quality of life.
2. Early Symptoms & Warnings
Do not overlook persistent symptoms extending beyond 2 to 3 weeks:
- Non-healing ulcers or white/red patches (leukoplakia) in the mouth.
- Unexplained hoarseness of voice or difficulty swallowing solid foods.
- A painless, firm swelling or lump inside the neck or submandibular zones.
3. Diagnostic Pathway
Detailed mappings are essential to locate deep lesions and assess bone involvement:
- Flexible Fiberoptic Laryngoscopy: Real-time visualization of laryngeal and pharyngeal chambers.
- High-Resolution MRI/CT: Delineating soft-tissue boundaries and checking vascular clearances.
- Biopsy Verification: Mandatory cellular extraction to identify dysplasia or aggressive squamous cell carcinomas.
4. Clinical Surgical Options
Dr. Parveen Mendiratta provides complete surgical capabilities:
- Oral Resection with Neck Dissection: Eradicating oral tumors while systematically clearing local lymph channels to prevent nodal spreads.
- Mandible & Maxilla Bone Cutting: Segmental or marginal bone-cutting procedures when tumors invade upper or lower jaw structures.
- Flap Reconstruction: Reconstruction of the defects using local tissue transfer techniques or microvascular tissue transfers (free flaps from forearm, thigh, or fibula) to cover structural voids and restore function.
- Advanced Thyroidectomy & Parotidectomy: Precise removal of thyroid or parotid salivary tumors with active facial nerve monitoring systems.
5. Post-Operative Recovery Care
Rehabilitative support is integral to standard recovery. Following surgery, our speech pathologists, dieticians, and wound care specialists collaborate to facilitate swallowing functions, maximize mobility, and achieve optimal wound healing.