Glossectomy: Types, Surgery and Recovery
Updated: 2 days ago
Written and medically reviewed by Dr. Baraa Alnahhal, MD · Last reviewed: November 2026 · How we review
Quick Answer
A glossectomy is surgery to remove part or all of the tongue, mainly to treat tongue cancer. Rarely, it's used for severe obstructive sleep apnea or an enlarged tongue. Larger removals often need reconstruction with tissue from the forearm, thigh or chest. Most people stay in the hospital about a week, and speech therapy helps with speaking and swallowing.
What the research says
Quality of life stayed stable after surgery: a meta-analysis of 56 studies with 2,832 tongue cancer patients found a pooled quality-of-life score of 71.9% after glossectomy, stable from before surgery, and higher after partial or hemi-glossectomy than after larger removals (Tundealao S et al., Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 2025) [2]
Most people could speak after total glossectomy: in 642 people after total glossectomy with the voice box kept and flap reconstruction, 91.1% had understandable speech at about 12 months, while 22.9% still needed a feeding tube (Russo E et al., Oral Oncology, 2023) [3]
Key takeaways
A glossectomy removes part or all of the tongue.
It's mainly used to treat tongue cancer.
Larger removals may need tongue reconstruction.
The hospital stay is about a week.
Speech therapy helps you relearn speaking and swallowing.
What is a glossectomy?
The tongue helps you speak, taste and swallow. During a glossectomy, a surgeon removes diseased tongue tissue, usually through the mouth, though cuts to the jaw or throat are sometimes needed. Learn more about mouth cancer. Sources: [1]
Why it's done
Tumor size and location determine how much is removed.
Tongue cancer.
Rarely, severe obstructive sleep apnea.
Rarely, macroglossia (an enlarged tongue). Sources: [1]
Types of glossectomy
Larger removals often need reconstruction.
Type | How much is removed |
Partial | A small portion |
Hemiglossectomy | Half the tongue |
Subtotal or near-total | Most, but not all |
Total | The entire tongue |
Sources: [1]
How to prepare
You'll have a medical history, physical exam and imaging such as CT or MRI.
You'll get instructions on eating, drinking and pausing medicines.
Plan for help at home. Sources: [1]
What happens during surgery
Most people stay in the hospital about a week.
You get general anesthesia.
The surgeon removes the diseased part of the tongue.
Small gaps may be closed with dissolvable stitches or a graft.
After larger removals, the tongue is rebuilt with tissue from the forearm, thigh or chest.
A tracheostomy may be placed if swelling could block your airway. Sources: [1]
Risks
Bleeding or infection.
Trouble speaking or swallowing.
Changes in tongue movement, feeling or taste.
Healing problems at the tongue or graft site.
The cancer coming back. Sources: [1, 3]
Recovery
Most people stay in the hospital about a week.
The trach tube is removed once you can breathe on your own.
A feeding tube is used until eating by mouth is safe.
You may communicate by writing or yes-or-no questions at first.
A speech-language pathologist helps you relearn speaking and swallowing.
Radiation or chemotherapy may follow, depending on the cancer stage. Sources: [1]
Some people eat and drink normally after two weeks, and most continue speech therapy for several months. Sources: [1]
Outlook
The less tongue removed, the clearer speech usually is. People who keep at least half of the tongue base usually taste normally. Most people adjust and enjoy a good quality of life, and for most, removing the cancer outweighs the changes. Sources: [1, 2]
When to call your provider
Fever, chills or signs of infection.
Heavy bleeding from the mouth.
Nausea or vomiting.
Severe pain that medicine doesn't help.
Swelling that gets worse after the first few days.
Trouble swallowing or being unable to eat or drink. Sources: [1]
Conclusion
A glossectomy can remove tongue cancer and save your life. With reconstruction and speech therapy, most people regain the ability to communicate and eat.
Keep learning: read about oral cancer and speech therapy.
Frequently asked questions
What is a glossectomy?
Surgery to remove part or all of the tongue.
Why is a glossectomy done?
Mainly to treat tongue cancer.
What is a hemiglossectomy?
Removal of half the tongue.
Can the tongue be rebuilt?
Yes, with tissue from the forearm, thigh or chest.
How long is the hospital stay?
About a week.
Will I need a feeding tube?
Possibly, until eating by mouth is safe.
Will I be able to talk?
Most people can with speech therapy; less removal means clearer speech.
Will food taste different?
People who keep half the tongue base usually taste normally.
How long is speech therapy?
Usually several months.
Can tongue cancer come back?
Yes, so follow-up care is important.
Related Reading
What Is Mouth Cancer? A Plain-Language Guide to Oral Cavity Cancer, Its Warning Signs, and How It's Treated an overview of mouth cancer.
Oral Cancer: Symptoms, Risk Factors, and Treatment Pathways oral cancer risks and treatment.
Tracheostomy: Purpose, Procedure, Recovery and Living With a Trach a breathing tube in the neck.
Speech Therapy: What It Is, Who Needs It, and How It Works relearning speech after surgery.
Floor-of-the-Mouth Cancer: Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment and Support a nearby oral cancer.
References
Cleveland Clinic. Glossectomy: Procedure Details & Recovery. Cleveland Clinic. Last updated March 13, 2026. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/24155-glossectomy
Tundealao S, Okunlola P, Alabaku O, et al. Head and neck related quality of life following glossectomy among tongue cancer patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. 2025;29(1):164. PMID 41023265. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10006-025-01471-y
Russo E, Alessandri-Bonetti M, Costantino A, et al. Functional outcomes and complications of total glossectomy with laryngeal preservation and flap reconstruction: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Oral Oncology. 2023;141:106415. PMID 37149955. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oraloncology.2023.106415
Medical disclaimer
This article is for general education only and does not replace advice from a qualified healthcare professional. Talk to your doctor about your own diagnosis and treatment, and seek emergency care right away for severe or sudden symptoms.
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