SIDE EFFECTS THAT MAY COME WITH ORAL CANCER SURGERY
When someone undergoes oral cancer surgery their first concern is getting rid of the cancerous tumor. While that is important, it is not the only thing they have to worry about with this type of surgery. All surgeries carry the risk of side effects. The more a person knows about these, the easier it is for the to manage the side effects.
Common Side Effects
When it comes to surgery, there are some common side effects. These include:
| • | Pain – Any surgery is an invasive procedure. The good thing is that there are ways to manage the pain. Pain after surgery for oral cancer should subside after a few days. |
| • | Tired feelings – The medications and the surgery combine to wear out the body. It takes a few days to get the energy level back. |
| • | Bleeding and swelling – Bleeding and swelling around the site of the wound are common. The swelling should subside, and the bleeding should not be excessive. |
The pain medications and other medications that the surgery involves can lead to side effects of diarrhea and constipation. Dealing with the side effects can lead to irritability. None of these side effects should last more than a few days to a week.
When to Worry
The biggest danger that people face after surgery is thinking that the side effects they have will always go away. They are not sure when they need to call our office because of the symptoms they feel. Some reasons to call for help include:
| • | Excessive bleeding – A little bleeding from the wound site is normal, but it could not continue for any period of time and should not be an excessive amount. |
| • | Fever and Chills – These are signs the body is fighting some type of infection. |
| • | Trouble breathing – If you have trouble breathing, do not hesitate to seek immediate help. |
It takes a few days to a week to recover from most oral cancer surgeries. This depends on the type of surgery, the extent of the cancer and your overall health.
For more information about this or any other oral health issue, contact our office to schedule an appointment.
