# How is tongue cancer treated?

> From surgery through the mouth to robotic surgery and radiotherapy: the treatment options for tongue cancer and how the decision is made.

Source: https://www.profaysenurmerichafiz.com/blog/how-is-tongue-cancer-treated/  
Updated: 2026-09-30

Blog · [Larynx and mouth](https://www.profaysenurmerichafiz.com/blog/#larynxOral)

By: [Prof. Dr. Ayşenur Meriç Hafız](https://www.profaysenurmerichafiz.com/about/) · Translated from the original Turkish article.

Diagram Tongue cancer most often arises on the sides of the tongue; sores that do not heal there need careful attention.

Tongue cancer is a treatable cancer. Your treatment options depend on the type, location and stage of the tongue cancer you have. Tongue cancer treatments can affect your speech and swallowing, so treatment is planned carefully to allow you to keep as much function as possible.

Most tongue cancers can be removed surgically through the mouth. A cold knife or a laser may also be used during surgery to remove the cancer.

For cancers of the base of the tongue, robotic surgery is used, as it provides easier access. This operation is typically safe and effective and offers faster recovery times compared with standard surgical approaches.

In some situations, such as large cancers or cancers that have spread to the neck, an approach through an incision in the neck may be used to remove the cancer and the lymph nodes.

If a large part of the tongue has been removed along with the tumour, reconstruction with pieces of tissue taken from another part of the body may be needed so that the tongue can carry out its speech and swallowing functions.

During tongue cancer surgery, there is close collaboration with pathologists, who analyse the tissue to make sure that all of the cancer has been removed.

Radiation therapy may be an option for early or advanced tongue cancer. Advanced radiotherapy techniques are used here, such as intensity-modulated radiation therapy, which limits the radiation exposure of the nearby normal tissue.

For tongue cancer that has recurred or spread to other parts of the body, chemotherapy may be recommended to slow the growth of the cancer.

[Read more in Treatment areasTongue Cancer](https://www.profaysenurmerichafiz.com/treatments/tongue-and-oral-cavity/tongue-cancer/)

The outcomes of surgical and medical procedures vary from person to person; consult your doctor for an assessment specific to you.

## More on this topic

- [Will I lose my voice?](https://www.profaysenurmerichafiz.com/blog/will-i-lose-my-voice/)
- [How does tongue cancer develop?](https://www.profaysenurmerichafiz.com/blog/how-does-tongue-cancer-develop/)

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