HMC doctors perform surgery on patient with advanced oral cancer

Surgeons from the Oral and Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery Department at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) have successfully removed a tumour from the tongue and jaw of a patient with advanced oral cancer.
Dr Moustafa al-Khalil, senior consultant and head of Carnio-Maxillofacial Surgery Department at HMC’s Rumailah Hospital, said the 40-year-old Egyptian man, who had been diagnosed with stage 3 oral cancer, is expected to make a full recovery.
Dr al-Khalil said the complex 10-hour surgery involved removal of the tumour from the patient’s tongue and jawbone and reconstruction of the surgical site. The patient, Ahmed Hammam, underwent 30 sessions of radiation therapy post-surgery.
“Shortly after surgery the patient began undergoing rehabilitation and was able to speak and swallow 10 days after the operation. Head and neck cancers and their treatment frequently cause changes in both speech and swallowing. In the case of Hammam, both the surgery and rehabilitation have been very successful and we expect him to make a complete recovery,” said Dr al-Khalil.
According to Dr al-Khalil the Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery Department has had great success in the surgical management of cases involving aggressive tumours, including those that require reconstructive surgery. He said with the treatment of oral cancers the aim is to remove the affected tissue while minimising damage to the mouth. Dr al-Khalil said Hammam’s story is significant because it highlights the importance of prompt treatment.
“A year and a half ago I noticed an ulcer on my tongue. Later I started to feel pain in my jaw and I went to my health centre where I was referred to Al Wakra Hospital,” said Hammam. “I was later referred to Dr Moustafa al-Khalil and after he conducted a series of tests he diagnosed me with stage 3 oral cancer and explained the recommended treatment plan and the prognosis. He recommended I have surgery within one week and Dr al-Khalil explained surgery was necessary to save my life and I trusted him.”
“Thanks to God and HMC’s medical team, the surgery was a success. I was able to speak within ten days and after about a month I returned to most of my normal activities, and will soon return to my profession as a lawyer. I am so grateful for the high-quality of care I received. In addition to providing great medical care, myself and my family received a lot of psychological support from the doctors and nurses who cared for me,” added Hammam.
“HMC’s Oral and Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery Department conducts around 600 surgeries each year on patients with advanced diseases and disorders of the head and neck, with around 30% of these cases involving the removal of tumours. It is important for the public to be aware of the potential warning signs of oral cancer, which can include a sore that does not heal within two weeks, a lump, bump, or mass in the head or neck area, a persistent sore throat, and pain or difficulty chewing, swallowing or moving the jaw or tongue,” said Dr al-Khalil.