What are the early symptoms of tongue cancer? The most noticeable symptoms of tongue cancer are a sore on the tongue that does not heal and a sore tongue.
Cancer can develop in two separate cases of the tongue. Tongue cancer develops in the front of the tongue, while cancer in the back of the tongue is known as aeropharyngeal cancer.
Symptoms of oral cancer may include:
- Red or red and white patches (leukoplakia of the mouth) appear on the lining of the mouth or tongue
- Wounds and mouth ulcers that do not heal
- Sore throat or pain when swallowing
- Feeling we have 'Run out of gas' emotionally
- A sore tongue
- A muffled voice
- Problems moving the jaw or tongue
- Neck or ear pain
- Loose teeth
- Swelling in that area for more than three weeks
- A sore throat
- Thicken the lining of the mouth
- dentures that no longer fit properly
Many of the early signs of oral cancer can be very difficult to find, so people do not notice any signs or symptoms when cancer develops early.
Symptoms of tongue cancer:
Squamous cells are thin, flat cells that are present on the surface of the skin and tongue in the lining of the digestive and respiratory tracts and in the lining of the mouth, throat, thyroid, and larynx.
Early symptoms of tongue cancer include sore tongue and the development of sores on the tongue. Additional symptoms may include:
- Pain in the jaw or throat
- Pain when swallowing
- A stiff tongue or jaw
- Problems swallowing or chewing food
- A red or white patch forms on the lining of the mouth or tongue
- A tongue ulcer that cannot be cured
- Numbness in the face
- Bleeding from the tongue without causing
- A lump on the tongue that does not move
The symptoms of tongue cancer are similar to those of other oral cancers and are not obvious in the early stages of the disease.
Reasons
However, specific risk factors may increase the risk of developing the disease.
Known risk factors include:
- Smoking or chewing tobacco
- Excessive alcohol intake
- Eat fewer fruits and vegetables and more red meat or processed foods
- Being infected with the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)
- Has a family history of tongue or oral cancer
- Previous cancers were especially other squamous cell cancers
Older men are the most at risk of tongue cancer. Oral cancers are most common in people aged 50 and over.
Smokers who drink very heavily are 15 times more likely to get oral cancer than other people.
Additional risk factors include:
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Chewing betel nut is a common practice in Southeast Asia
Exposure to certain chemicals including asbestos, sulfuric acid and formaldehyde
Poor oral hygiene or other factors that can affect the face such as deciduous teeth that cause irritation or tooth decay that does not fit properly
How is it diagnosed?
Anyone who is concerned about getting tongue cancer should make an appointment with a doctor as soon as possible.
At the appointment, the doctor may spend time:
Examine the tongue and mouth
Lymph nodes are examined to see if there is any enlargement
If a doctor suspects that there is tongue cancer, they will do a biopsy. This will involve removing some of their tissue and sending it for testing.
If the results of the biopsy confirm cancer, a doctor may recommend a CT scan or MRI scan, which will show if cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
Can it be cured?
Tongue cancer can be cured and the approach is better for early diagnoses. Cancers that do not spread have a higher survival rate.
The 5-year relative survival rate for tongue cancer is 78 percent before cancer has spread, compared to 36 percent at one time.
Resistance:
It is not possible to prevent the growth of tongue cancer. However, if people notice any signs or symptoms of tongue cancer, they should make an appointment with a doctor as soon as possible. The sooner any doctor can diagnose the disease, the sooner treatment can begin and the outlook becomes more favorable.
There are also lifestyle issues that people can control to reduce their risk of tongue cancer. These include:
Quit smoking
Avoid chewing tobacco products or drinks
Limit alcohol consumption or avoid it altogether
Eat a varied, healthy diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables
Practice good dental hygiene by brushing and flossing regularly and taking part in regular dental appointments
Receive a full course of HPV vaccine
Practicing safer sex and using dental bandages for oral sex
People with tongue cancer will usually need surgical treatment to remove the cancerous tissue.
Multiple and more complex operations are needed if a larger tumor is present or cancer has spread. The surgeon may also remove some parts of the tongue. If this happens, they will try to reconstruct the tongue using skin or tissue from other parts of the body.
The surgery that involves removing part or all of the tongue is called a glossectomy. Although physicians will try to minimize oral damage during the procedure, some side effects are inevitable.
Glossectomy may affect:
- To talk
- To eat
- Breathing
- Swallowed
In addition to surgery, some people can be treated with radiation or chemotherapy to kill any cancer cells that remain.
Outlook:
The outlook of a person with tongue cancer depends on the stage of diagnosis and the success of the treatment.
According to statistics, 83.3 percent of people with type 1 cancer of the mouth or pharynx will live 5 years or more. It compares to 39.1 percent of people with cancer.
