Objective: To analyze the efficacy and safety of radical surgery combined with modified neck lymph node dissection in the treatment of oral cancer. Methods: A retrospective selection was made of 80 patients with oral cancer treated in the Department of Stomatology at Yichang Central People’s Hospital from January 2020 to January 2022. According to differences in treatment plans, all patients were randomly divided into two groups, with 40 cases in each group: the control group underwent radical surgery for oral cancer, while the observation group received radical surgery combined with modified neck lymph node dissection. Surgical outcomes, VAS scores, oral function, and prognosis were compared between the two groups before and after treatment. Results: There was no significant difference in intraoperative blood loss and operation time between the two groups (P > 0.05). At 1 month and 3 months postoperatively, VAS scores in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05). Postoperatively, oral function scores in all three dimensions were higher in the observation group compared to the control group (P < 0.05); the 3-year metastasis rate was lower in the observation group, while the survival rate was higher than in the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Radical surgery combined with modified neck lymph node dissection is significantly effective in treating oral cancer. It markedly relieves postoperative pain, improves oral function, reduces metastasis rates, and increases survival rates.