Medical articles
Benign tongue cancer, symptoms, causes and treatment methods
Medical articles
Reviewed by: Dr. Ahmed Mohamed Al-Wabari, consultant oncology and hematology

Benign tongue cancer is considered one of the types of benign tumors that affect humans and depends on the tongue area only and does not spread to other parts of the body such as the throat and other parts. There are many types of benign tumors such as fibroids, migratory glossitis and others, and although it is not dangerous, it causes a lot of inconvenience to the affected person such as pain and bleeding and affects many vital functions of the mouth and tongue. The causes of infection are multiple, but in the end it is necessary to seek treatment through a specialized center such as Al Mousa Specialist Center, in order not to be exposed to any complications, and for more... 

What is benign tongue cancer?

It is a lump that appears on the surface of the tongue and is non-cancerous and does not spread to other parts of the mouth or body, but it causes many complications such as difficulty swallowing and chewing, as well as bleeding and severe infections in the mouth. 

It also affects tongue movement, speech, and some life activities, so it requires immediate treatment. 

وتنقسم أورام اللسان الحميدة إلى كل مما يأتي:

1. Benign migratory glossitis

It is an inflammation of the tongue, but it is not cancerous. It occurs in the form of painful lesions on the surface of the tongue that are red and outlined in yellow. 

It is a chronic disease that affects about 3% of people around the world. 

2. Benign tongue tumors 

These tumors do not cause significant harm to humans, especially since they do not spread to other parts of the body, and they are not cancerous. 

3. Fibroids 

Fibroids are considered one of the most common types of benign tongue cancer. They usually spread on the surface of the tongue and are benign and grow in the form of masses. 

Causes of benign tongue cancer

Benign tongue cancer is considered one of the diseases whose direct cause is not yet known, but there are some factors that lead to it, the most important of which are the following:

1. Drinking alcoholic beverages 

Drinking alcoholic beverages, especially with smoking, leads to many serious diseases, including benign tongue cancer and cancer in general.

2. Tobacco products

Tobacco products cause serious harm to humans, as they negatively affect their health, and they develop many types of malignant cancers as a result of consuming these products. They also lead to infection. Tongue cancer And others.

3. Genetic factors

Genetic factors and genetic mutations play an effective role in causing a person to develop many diseases, including benign tongue cancer, especially if there is a family history of it.

4.Human papillomavirus

Human papillomavirus is considered one of the most dangerous types of viruses that attack the mouth and increases the chance of developing benign tongue cancer, annular cancer, etc. Therefore, the vaccine designated for it must be taken in order to avoid this matter.

5. Weak immunity

The immune system is considered the body's protective shield, and therefore its weakness leads to the body being more susceptible to diseases, including benign tongue cancer, and this is one of the most prominent causes of various types of diseases, especially cancer.

6. Neglecting oral hygiene

Neglecting oral and dental hygiene leads to various diseases, including benign tongue cancer, due to the formation of harmful bacteria and viruses inside the vicinity of the mouth and teeth.

Benign tongue cancer

Symptoms of benign tongue cancer

Benign tongue cancer is considered a type of benign tumor that does not cause great danger to humans. Many symptoms appear on the person suffering from it, including the following:

  •  The presence of lumps on the tongue

 There are some clumps or fibrous tumors on the tip of the tongue, and they are a phenomenon that hinders some functions of the tongue and mouth in general. 

  •  Difficulty swallowing 

Benign tongue cancer sometimes causes difficulty in swallowing as well as chewing due to lumps found on the tongue. 

  •  Difficulty speaking 

Benign tumor of the tongue affects speech, especially fibroids. 

  •  Difficulty in cleaning the mouth and teeth 

A benign tumor of the tongue can lead to difficulty in maintaining oral and dental hygiene, as a result of clumps that grow on the tongue. 

  •  Enlarged tongue 

The tongue sometimes swells due to a benign tongue tumor, even though it is not cancerous, and this is one of its annoying symptoms. 

  •  No pain 

Benign tongue tumors are usually painless, although they interfere with many oral functions. 

  •  Change in the shape of the tongue 

Note some changes in the shape of the tongue as a result of this tumor. 

Book your consultation now at Oncology center  At Al Mousa Specialist Hospital and start your treatment journey now

Methods of treating benign tongue cancer

Benign tongue cancer can be treated through surgery, especially if the tumor is large and hinders oral functions such as chewing, speaking, as well as swallowing, etc. 

There are also some cases that require the use of radiotherapy in order to ensure that the tumor does not return again if it is not completely removed. 

Note that physical therapy is appropriate in some cases in order to reduce the side effects caused by the tumor, such as difficulty speaking, chewing, etc. 

In the end, we would like to clarify that benign tongue cancer is one of the symptoms that may affect a small number of people, but the condition must not be neglected in order to avoid it turning into a malignant tumor, or exposure to many complications that affect the quality of life of the affected person, noting that choosing a reliable place such as the Al Mousa Specialist Oncology Center is one of the important things that helps to achieve recovery as quickly as possible, especially since the center possesses all the elements that help in this, including distinguished doctors, as well as modern equipment, advanced technologies, and many other factors. 

What are the signs? Gum cancer Can it be cured?

FAQs

How do I know that I have tongue cancer?

When you feel severe pain in the tongue area with the appearance of white and red spots on it, in addition to the appearance of non-healing ulcers on the tongue, with some complications of the disease such as ear pain and difficulty swallowing, chewing, and speaking. 

What does tongue cancer look like?

It appears in the form of red or white lumps on the surface of the tongue, noting that they do not heal despite taking some medications, with some complications following these cells or lumps, such as numbness in the tongue as well as severe bleeding in the mouth. 

Tongue cancer, can it be cured?

Yes, tongue cancer can be cured, but the percentage varies depending on the degree of the disease as well as the speed of its discovery. Note that cases that undergo treatment early and before the disease spreads have a cure rate of more than 86%, according to what has been reported by many specialists. 

Medical sources:

Tongue Tumor – sciencedirect

Tongue Cancer – cedars-sinai.

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