Surgery to remove the tumor is usually recommended if the
tumor is small enough. Surgery may be used together
with radiation therapy and chemotherapy for larger tumors.
Surgery is not commonly done if the cancer has spread to lymph
nodes in the neck.
Other treatments may include speech therapy or other therapy to
improve movement, chewing, swallowing, and speech.
Complications
Complications of radiation therapy, including dry mouth and
difficulty swallowing
Disfigurement of the face, head, and neck after surgery
Other spread (metastasis) of the cancer