What is Tongue Cancer?
Oral cancer is one of several types of cancer that happen when cells divide out of control. It is similar to other cancers, as it occurs when cells grow too large.
Oral tongue cancer and oropharyngeal cancer are two types of cancer that affect the areas you can see (tongue and throat). Oropharyngeal cancer is often diagnosed after it has spread to the lymph nodes in your neck.
Tongue cancer is less common than many other types of cancer. Most people who get it are older adults. It is rare in children.
Explanation of medical terms and concept Tongue cancer
Tongue cancer is a type of willcer that begins within the cells of the tongue.
Many styles of cancer can have an effect on the tongue, however tongue cancer most frequently begins in the thin, flat squamous cells that line the surface of the tongue. The kind of cells concerned in your tongue cancer helps verify your prognosis and treatment.
Where your tongue cancer occurs also affects your treatment. Tongue cancer can occur:
In the mouth, where it should be additional probably to be seen and felt (oral tongue cancer). This sort of tongue cancer tends to be diagnosed once the cancer is tiny and more simply removed through surgery.
In the throat, at the bottom of the tongue, wherever tongue cancer could develop with few signs and symptoms (hypopharyngeal tongue cancer). Cancer at the base of the tongue is typically diagnosed at a sophisticated stage, once the growth is larger and therefore the cancer has unfold into the liquid body substance nodes within the neck.
Increasingly, cancers at the base of the tongue are related to human papillomavirus (HPV), which incorporates a profound result on the prognosis and treatment of the cancer.
Treatment for tongue willcer generally involves surgery to get rid of the cancer. Chemotherapy, actinotherapy and targeted drug therapy additionally could also be recommended.
Treatment for advanced tongue cancers can impact your ability to talk and eat. operating with a talented rehabilitation team can assist you agitate changes that result from tongue cancer treatment.
symptoms Excessive soreness or bleeding of the tongue are signs of cancer according to Cancer.gov The website advises seeing a doctor if you notice a change in the color of your tongue or if you have sores that do not heal after two weeks since these can be indicators of cancer as well Other symptoms include drooling and pain when swallowing difficulty speaking and changes in taste.
Tongue cancer treatment begins with surgery because most tongue cancers are found through annual screenings or self-examinations An oral surgeon will remove the tumor and a portion of healthy tissue surrounding it Other therapies include chemotherapy radiation and biological therapy which may use antibodies to help destroy the cancer cells.
Symptoms Tongue cancer
If you see a lump or sore on the side of your tongue that does not go away, this is one of the first signs of tongue cancer. It may be pink or red in color. Sometimes the sore will bleed if you touch or bite it.
You may also have:
Pain in or near your tongue
Your voice may sound hoarse when you change it a lot.
Trouble swallowing
If you have a sore on your tongue or in your mouth that doesn't go away after a few weeks, see your doctor.
If the problem is with your tongue, you may not experience any symptoms. Your dentist or doctor might find signs of tongue cancer during a checkup or regular exam.
HPV can cause cancers on the roof of your mouth (the base of your tongue). HPV also can infect your genital area andcause cervical cancer, penile cancer, and anal cancer. It's the most common sexually transmitted infection. There are many types of HPV. Some that are more likely to cause these cancers are listed below. HPV is the cancer that's most likely to lead to cervical cancer.
Some things that may increase your chances of getting tongue cancer include: -Having a high-risk lifestyle, such as smoking, drinking, and being overweight -Having a history of cancer in the family
Tobacco use
Alcohol use
Jagged teeth
If you don't take care of your teeth and gums, they may become rotten and diseased.
Your genes may influence whether you are likely to get tongue cancer.
Causes Tongue cancer
The human papillomavirus (HPV) can cause cancers on the bottom of the tongue. HPV can also infect your reproductive organ space and cause cervical cancer, penial cancer, and anal cancer. It’s the foremost common sexually transmitted infection. There are many varieties of HPV. Those that raise your odds of obtaining cancer are referred to as speculative HPV.
The explanation for tongue willcer is unknown. However, sure behaviors and conditions can increase your risk, including:
smoking or chewing tobacco
heavy drinking
being infected with human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted disease
chewing betel, which is particularly common in south and southeast Asia
a family history of tongue or other mouth cancers
a personal history of certain cancers, such as other squamous cell cancers
a poor diet (there is some evidence
Trusted Source
that a diet low in fruits and vegetables increases the risk of all oral cancers)
poor oral hygiene (constant irritation from jagged teeth or ill-fitting dentures can increase your risk of tongue cancer)
Tongue cancer is additionally more common in older men than in ladies or younger folks. Oral cancersTrusted supply are most typical in people over fifty five years old.
Diagnosis Tongue cancer
To diagnose tongue cancer, your doctor can 1st take a medical history. They’ll raise you regarding any family or personal history of cancer, whether or not you smoke or drink and the way much, and if you’ve ever tested positive for the HPV virus. Then they’ll do a physical examination of your mouth to appear for signs of cancer, and admire ill ulcers. They’ll conjointly examine close bodily fluid nodes, to see for swelling.
If your doctor sees any signs of tongue cancer, they’ll do a diagnostic test of the world of suspected cancer. associate incisional biopsy is the most often used type of diagnostic test. During this sort of biopsy, your doctor can take away atiny low piece of the suspected cancer. this can be typically done below {local associate anesthesia|local anesthesia|anesthesia|anesthesia} in your doctor’s office.
rather than an incision biopsy, your doctor may do a more modern type of biopsy known as a brush biopsy. During this biopsy, they’ll roll a small brush over the world of suspected cancer. This causes minor hemorrhage and permits your doctor to gather cells for testing.
Cells from either type of biopsy are sent to a laboratory for analysis. If you've got tongue cancer, your doctor may do a CT scan or imaging to check how deep it goes and the way so much it’s spread.
Your doctor will examine your mouth and ask you questions about your symptoms. They may recommend an X-ray or CT scan - several X-rays are taken from different angles to produce a more detailed picture.
A doctor may take a sample of your tissue (a biopsy) to see if you have any medical conditions.
Treatment Tongue cancer
Your treatment can rely on wherever your neoplasm is and the way huge it is.
Surgery is commonly the most effective thanks to removing a tumor from a part of your tongue you'll see. Your doctor will in all probability cast off some healthy tissue and near bodily fluid nodes as well, to make certain all the cancer is gone.
If the cancer is on the rear of your tongue, you'll have radiotherapy (X-rays and different radiation). generally the best treatment could be a combination of chemotherapy, or cancer-fighting drugs, and radiation.
The treatment that you receive will depend on where your tumor is and how big it is.
Tumors can be removed from the part of your tongue you can see by surgery. Your doctor will likely take out healthy tissue and nearby lymph nodes to make sure all of the cancer is gone.
If the cancer is located on the back of your tongue, you may have radiation therapy (X-rays and other forms of radiation). Sometimes the best treatment is a combination of chemotherapy or cancer-fighting drugs and radiation.
After decoupaging leaves, you might need therapy to help you chew, move your tongue, swallow, and speak better.
You will need regular checkups to make sure the cancer hasn't come back.
Prevention
We know that HPV is a cause of many cases of base-of-the-tongue cancer. Some things that may prevent you from getting this type of cancer are:
Depending on your age, you may need to get vaccinated for HPV. Speak to your doctor about your options.
Make sure to use latex condoms every time you have sex.
Don’t use tobacco in any form.
Avoid heavy or frequent alcohol use.
Take good care of your teeth and gums.
General summary
What is the survival rate for tongue cancer?
There is a lot of conflicting information on the Internet but the five-year survival rate for patients with tongue cancer is about 50%. What does this mean? It means that half of the people who are diagnosed with tongue cancer live at least five years after their diagnosis. It also means that almost 50% of those diagnosed die within five years (the remaining 2% live longer than five years).
Is first stage tongue cancer curable?
Yes first stage cancer can be cured but there is little room for error It is critical to not only get the appropriate treatment quickly but also adhere to the recommended course of action The severity of tongue cancer will depend on whether or not it has metastasized The most common type of tongue cancer squamous cell carcinoma rarely spreads beyond the mouth and is considered a Stage 1 cancer when it does so Fortunately the average five-year relative survival rate for patients with advanced oral cavity cancers (including laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers) is about 70 percent.
Does tongue cancer require surgery?
If you’re concerned about tongue cancer it’s important to know that most cases do not require surgery Surgery is recommended if the cancer has spread outside of the tongue or into nearby tissues or if your doctor wants to remove a large portion of your tongue as part of your treatment regimen Treatment options vary depending on your own personal situation and condition but may include radiation therapy chemotherapy biologic therapy and/or removal of tissue.
Does tongue cancer come back?
If caught early tongue cancer can be treated successfully Most patients go on to make a full recovery of their ability to eat and talk.
What is a person with no tongue called?
Individuals who have had their tongues removed may have difficulty eating but they are able to communicate using other means. The most common form of communication is through a process called "esophageal speech." In this form of speech the individual produces a series of sounds that are formed in the upper esophagus and pass through the trachea The actions required to produce these sounds severely limit talking time and can be exhausting for the speaker Tongue-less individuals can also use alternative methods of communication such as sign language or customized devices.