Lucknow: A 37-year-old man is leading a normal life six years after undergoing complex tongue cancer surgery at a Medanta hospital.Dr Vivekanand Singh, director, head and neck cancer, who operated on the patient, said the tumour had spread to the tongue muscles and the floor of his mouth.He said the affected tissue and neck lymph nodes were removed and the tongue was reconstructed by using a tissue taken from his upper arm.The patient was discharged on the fifth day after surgery and has since returned to work, with near-normal speech.Dr Singh said, “Oral cancer is largely preventable. Avoid tobacco and areca nut in all forms, including gutka and other chewing products. Persistent ulcers, lumps, or white or red patches in the mouth should never be ignored and must be examined early.”