Tumour surgery

Tumours in the head and neck area can be benign or malignant. The diagnosis “tumour” (Latin for: “swelling”) does not in any way mean life-threatening danger. If an ulcer is malignant, it is so primarily because of three characteristics:

1. uninhibited growth that destroys neighbouring structures
2. formation of secondary tumours in other parts of the body (metastasis)
3. gradual degeneration – i.e. malignancy of cells that have lost, to varying degrees, the characteristics of the cells from which they originated

To complicate matters, there are also tumours that destroy tissue locally but do not metastasise. These are not really benign, but not malignant either.

Patient videos – jaw

Patient videos – face

Tumours should always be removed, even the completely benign ones. The latter do not destroy neighbouring structures and do not form secondary tumours within the body. However, due to their growth, they cause pressure damage to neighbouring structures and thus, among other things, bone dissolution with pathological fractures and pain.

Furthermore, we only know for sure that a tumour was benign once it has been examined closely under the microscope.

Basaliomas are now called basal cell carcinomas. Basal cell carcinomas, like a malignant tumour, can damage the surrounding tissue and even infiltrate bone, but they form metastases extremely rarely (0.03 % of cases). They are caused by chronic light damage (with a few exceptions in older age), especially where there has been a lot of sun exposure, such as on the nose, ears and forehead. Basal cell carcinomas are not caused by one or two sunburns, but by a long life in the fresh air. Bricklayers, farmers, gardeners and winegrowers as well as fair-skinned and/or red-haired people with sun-sensitive skin are particularly affected by basal cell carcinoma. Such tumours must be removed with a small safety margin in the healthy tissue. This is usually done under local anaesthetic on an outpatient basis. People who have once developed a basal cell carcinoma should stay under regular (dermatological) medical supervision, because it can develop again in other parts of the body.

In terms of its development, this tumour is very similar to basal cell carcinoma. It too is caused by too frequent exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light, a component of sunlight. However, a melanoma is absolutely malignant. It originates from other cells of the skin, the melanocytes, which is why it is called “melanoma”. As these are responsible for the pigmentation (tanning) of the skin, a malignant melanoma usually looks deep brown to bluish-black. Malignant melanomas must be detected as early as possible and removed completely with the surrounding tissue, a so-called “safety margin”. Local lymph nodes must also be removed, which is possible in most cases with minimal access, i.e. very inconspicuous scars later on. Malignant melanoma is one of the most rapidly metastasising (spreading) tumours of all. Depending on the stage of the disease and the age of the person affected, chemotherapy may also be necessary. However, if detected early and completely removed, malignant melanomas are easily curable.

The naevus is very close to melanoma and basal cell carcinoma and is colloquially called a “birthmark”. A naevus in itself is completely harmless, however, if it changes, grows, bleeds, or it has certain characteristics that make the naevus appear similar to a melanoma or it could turn into a melanoma, it should be removed in a minor procedure and the tissue examined under the microscope to confirm the diagnosis.

Tumours in the oral cavity are benign in the vast majority of cases and originate from the oral mucosa. A large number of quite harmless tissue proliferations, such as scar nodules on the tongue, connective tissue tumours, so-called fibromas (which often have a stalk) caused by poorly fitting dentures, or inflammatory growths that can originate from a tooth, are removed during a minor procedure. The microscopic tissue examination by the pathologist, which we always carry out, then provides final clarity as to whether the tissue change is benign or malignant. This gives you complete security and reassurance.

Malignant cancer of the oral cavity usually develops as a result of long-term damage to the oral mucosa caused by mechanical injuries, such as sharp denture edges or broken teeth. Poor oral hygiene, as well as the excessive regular consumption of alcohol and cigarettes, also particularly favour its development. The role of viral infection with human papillomaviruses is also becoming increasingly clear from recent scientific studies as a contributory cause, even without the other classic factors. The treatment of squamous cell carcinoma consists of surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. In the case of malignant tissue, the tumour meeting at our Tumour Centre then advises which of these measures should be carried out on you and how radical they need to be. In the subsequent discussion with you, we decide together which treatment strategy is the most suitable. As with all the therapies we offer, your wish and your decision are at the centre of our clinical endeavours.

Multi-disciplinary tumour treatment

Tumour diseases can affect all tissues of the body and thus also the head. In cooperation with the various specialists in the Tumour Centre, these conditions are discussed and an individual treatment concept is drawn up together. In a maximum care facility such as the Sana Klinikum Offenbach, experts are available for radiotherapy, chemotherapy/immunotherapy as well as surgery, working together in an interdisciplinary manner to provide you with the best advice and treatment that promises the greatest success. No two malignant tumours are the same – there is always enough time for detailed, individual advice and support for our patients with malignant tumours! A “trademark” of our Tumour Centre is its short service pathways and the close cooperation of all the disciplines involved, which are available for you at any time.

Reconstructive surgery after tumour treatment

We have tremendous expertise in reconstructive surgery with free grafts.

These are performed by taking a graft together with the vessels from another, inconspicuous part of the body (for example the inside of the lower leg). The grafts are connected to the vessels of the face and neck in an operation lasting several hours in order to be able to reconstruct, for example, the tongue, the cheek or the upper jaw, but also the nose.

Intraoral

Intraoraler Tumor an der Zunge, Tumorchirurgie
Intraoraler Tumor an der Zunge, Tumorchirurgie
Intraoraler Tumor an der Zunge, Tumorchirurgie
Oberkieferrekonstruktion nach Plattenepithelcarzinomentfernung und ALT-Lappenrekonstruktion, Intraoraler Tumor, Tumorchirurgie, Microtransplantate
Oberkieferrekonstruktion nach Plattenepithelcarzinomentfernung und ALT-Lappenrekonstruktion, Intraoraler Tumor, Tumorchirurgie, Microtransplantate
Intraoraler Tumor an der Zunge, Tumorchirurgie

Extraoral

Großes Oberkiefervestibulumscarzinom, Oberlippencarzinom und Columellacarzinom mit Rekonstruktion durch ALT Lappen
Großes Oberkiefervestibulumscarzinom, Oberlippencarzinom und Columellacarzinom mit Rekonstruktion durch ALT Lappen
Großes Oberkiefervestibulumscarzinom, Oberlippencarzinom und Columellacarzinom mit Rekonstruktion durch ALT Lappen
Großes Oberkiefervestibulumscarzinom, Oberlippencarzinom und Columellacarzinom mit Rekonstruktion durch ALT Lappen

Prosthetics

Discreet incisions and scars

Are you looking for help?

We will be happy to advise you on the possibilities of conservative or surgical treatment of your health problem affecting the mouth, jaw or facial area. We’re happy to help! You can reach the Landes & Kollegen Practice by telephone on +49 (0) 69 8405-1380 or by e-mail.

All planned surgical treatments are preceded by a detailed consultation, which can also take place several times and repeatedly.
We speak German, English, French, Spanish, Arabic and Portuguese.

Our regular office hours are:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday: 8:00 – 17:00, Wednesday: 8:00 – 13:00, Friday: 8:00 – 16:00
as well as our fast-track consultations on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, between 8:00 and 9:00 each day!

The new me as a 3D simulation

Design your own dream face! Simply upload selfies, simulate them free of charge with the Crisalix 3D software and bring them to your appointment with us!