When medication and other non-surgical treatments cannot relieve symptoms of tongue cancer, your doctor may recommend surgery.

Minimally invasive robotic-assisted surgery is one surgical option to treat tongue cancer. Inova's state-of-the-art da Vinci® robotic surgical system helps your doctor perform this precise, delicate operation through a few tiny incisions with enhanced vision, dexterity and control.

Complete removal of cancerous tissue with robotic-assisted surgery may reduce the risk of cancer returning, and reduce or eliminate the need for chemoradiation after surgery. Research shows that reducing your exposure to chemoradiation can dramatically improve your ability to speak and swallow, with no dependence on feeding tubes.

Benefits of robotic assisted over open surgery include:

• Excellent cancer control
• Low rate of complications
• No visible scarring or disfigurement
• Low blood loss
• Minimal need for tracheotomy (breathing tube)
• Minimal need for chemoradiation therapy
• Ability to swallow
• Short hospital stay

Talk with your surgeon about whether robotic-assisted surgery is an option for you. Or call 1-855-My-Inova (1-855-694-6682) for a referral to one of our da Vinci robotic surgical specialists.