The practice of oropharynx cancer: A case report and literature review

Abstract

Oropharynx cancer has a markedly high prevalence in eastern countries. This cancer leads to complexity and persistence of dysfunction in breathing, speech, swallowing and chewing, accompanied by long-lasting and often permanent disability. In order to achieve a cure and preserve the function, we have actively performed surgical reconstruction following multidisciplinary treatment for oropharynx cancer at our institution. This is a clinical case of a 53-year-old male patient identified as having stage III squamous cell carcinoma of the right lateral tongue. Given the large size of the tongue tumor, neoadjuvant chemotherapy was particularly useful prior to surgery and radiotherapy. In addition, in cases of advanced tongue tumor, primary surgery followed by adjuvant chemotherapy is recommended for a better disease control and survival. We used an infrahyoid myocutaneous island flap for reconstruction of tongue defects after cancer resection. The infrahyoid island flap, harvested from the infrahyoid muscles, is based on the superior thyroid vessels. This thin and pliable flap provided a skin island of about 7 cm from the central part of the anterior neck in our patient. This flap was reliable and achieved primary closure of the tongue defect. The donor site was closed primarily without difficulties. The present report includes a review of the etiology, diagnosis, and contemporary methods of treating oropharyngeal cancer.