In a remarkable example of advanced cancer care and reconstructive surgery, specialists at Kamineni Hospitals, Hyderabad, successfully rebuilt the jaw of a 39-year-old daily wage labourer whose cancer-ravaged jawbone had been severely damaged by a 12-year history of gutkha chewing and smoking.
Long-Term Addiction Leads to Advanced Oral Cancer
The patient’s prolonged tobacco addiction eventually resulted in a painful, non-healing ulcer in the right lower gingivobuccal sulcus. Over time, his condition worsened to the point where he could open his mouth by barely 1.5 finger breadths, significantly affecting his quality of life.
When he sought treatment at Kamineni Hospitals, doctors conducted a comprehensive clinical evaluation and biopsy. The investigations confirmed cancer on the inner right cheek, which had already spread aggressively into the jawbone.
Multidisciplinary Team Undertakes Complex Cancer Surgery
Given the locally advanced nature of the disease, the medical team adopted a multidisciplinary treatment approach aimed at achieving complete cancer clearance while preserving the patient’s function and appearance.
Dr. D. V. Vineeth, Consultant Surgical Oncologist at Kamineni Hospitals, led the surgical team in performing a complex composite resection. The procedure involved wide excision of the tumour, segmental mandibulectomy, and Modified Radical Neck Dissection to remove the cancer-affected portion of the jaw and surrounding tissues.
Leg Bone Used to Reconstruct the Jaw
Following tumour removal, the focus shifted to restoring the patient’s facial structure and jaw function.
As per the press release, Dr. B. Krishna Chaitanya, Consultant Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon at Kamineni Hospitals, performed an advanced microvascular reconstruction using a free fibula osteocutaneous flap. During the procedure, surgeons harvested bone and tissue from the patient’s leg and carefully shaped them to recreate the jawbone.
As a result, the team restored the patient’s mandibular contour, jaw continuity, and facial structure in a single, highly complex surgery.
Focus on Survival and Functional Recovery
The successful treatment highlights the importance of multidisciplinary cancer care, where the objective extends beyond survival to include functional rehabilitation and quality of life.
Dr. D. V. Vineeth emphasized that head and neck cancers linked to long-term tobacco consumption require aggressive oncological management to reduce the risk of recurrence. Meanwhile, Dr. B. Krishna Chaitanya noted that advances in microsurgical reconstruction now enable patients to regain normal function and return to their daily lives with confidence.
Patient Recovering Well
The patient is currently stable and recovering well, with satisfactory facial structure and restored jaw continuity. The surgery not only demonstrates the expertise of the Kamineni Hospitals team but also serves as a stark reminder of the life-threatening consequences of gutkha and tobacco use.
Doctors further stressed the importance of early medical consultation and timely diagnosis, which can significantly improve treatment outcomes and survival rates for patients with oral cancer.