Tongue cancer is a serious type of cancer that appears in the form of a non-healing ulcer on the tongue, and its symptoms do not appear at first, but it can be discovered by a general practitioner or dentist, and there are many reasons that lead to it, including a change in the DNA of healthy tongue cells. This is due to many things, most notably the consumption of tobacco products and others, but it is necessary to go to the specialist doctor when noticing any sign that indicates it. It is preferable to go to Al-Mousa Specialist Center, which has most of the components of medical care, and for more details about it, follow the article with us until the end. 

What is tongue cancer

It is one of the types of cancer that affects the tongue, and it begins in the form of abnormal cell growth on the surface of the tongue, and extends from the mouth until it reaches the throat, and it is possible the opposite, and there is a clear difference between them. 

 Having this disease hinders many of the affected person’s life activities, especially since the tongue helps in the process of tasting, speaking, swallowing, eating, and other necessary matters. 

The tongue consists of an organized group of nerves and muscles that help it perform its function as well as move. When it is affected by this type of cancer, its parts are affected and thus its function is affected. 

It is called oropharyngeal cancer, and is usually caused by an unhealthy lifestyle that depends on consuming tobacco products, alcoholic beverages, and other bad habits. 

Types of tongue cancer

There are many types of tongue cancer, which are as follows:

1. Oral cancer 

It appears directly on the tongue and can be seen when the tongue is stuck out, which makes the diagnosis and treatment process easier. It affects the front part of the tongue, specifically two-thirds of it. 

2. Squamous cell carcinoma

It affects the squamous cells that line the upper part of the surface of the tongue, and is considered one of the most dangerous and common types. 

3. Oropharyngeal cancer

It is difficult to diagnose because it starts in the throat and identifies the back of the tongue, i.e. its base, unlike the common types that start at the front of the tongue. 

It also spreads rapidly in the lymph nodes in the neck, and is usually discovered after this. 

4.Less common types 

There are a number of less common types of tongue cancer, which are as follows:

• Kaposi's sarcoma. 
• Carcinoma. 
• Warty carcinoma. 
• Malignant melanoma. 

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Causes of tongue cancer

There are many reasons that lead to the appearance of tongue cancer, the most important of which are the following:

• Drinking alcoholic beverages contributes to the emergence of this type of cancer and many other diseases. 
• Infection with the human papilloma virus, due to the use of contaminated objects in the mouth or other bad habits. 
• Lack of attention to oral and dental hygiene, as well as gum disease. 
• Smoking increases the incidence of this disease to 4 times that of non-smokers. 
• Weak immunity due to aging, malnutrition, etc.
• Drug addiction or abuse of tobacco products. 
• A medical history, such as a person having previously had a tumor, makes him or her more susceptible to tongue cancer. 
• Genetic factor, such as a family member having had this type of cancer before. 

Symptoms of tongue cancer

There is an important group of symptoms that appear on the patient, the most important of which are the following:

• The appearance of a painful ulcer in the tongue that does not heal, with bleeding and some lumps. 
• Obvious enlargement in the size of the tongue, as well as lymph nodes in the neck area. 
• Ear pain with unexplained weight loss, in addition to coughing with blood. 
• Severe sore throat that does not go away even with medication. 
• Spots appear in the lining of the mouth and on the tongue, usually white or red. 
• Feeling numb in the tongue or mouth, as well as the feeling of something in the throat. 
• Voice change with pain when moving the jaw and the appearance of enlargement.

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Methods of diagnosing tongue cancer

There are many methods that can be followed to diagnose this type of cancer, which include all of the following:

1.Clinical examination 

The doctor carefully examines the mouth or throat area in order to look for any lumps or changes in the tongue tissue. 

2. Biopsy 

A sample of tongue tissue is examined under a microscope in order to look for the presence of any cancer cells. 

3. Endoscopy 

An endoscope containing a camera is used to examine the mouth, tongue, and throat area in order to detect any cancer cells. 

4. Medical imaging 

Going to a group of types of radiology, such as MRI, CT scan, and X-ray, in order to determine the size of the tumor and the extent of its spread. 

5. Comprehensive oral examination 

Here, oral examination using a blue dye is used in an attempt to detect cancer cells, which appear a different color from healthy cells. 

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How to treat tongue cancer

There are many therapeutic methods that are used to treat tongue cancer, the most important of which are the following:

1.Surgery 

It depends on removing the tumor, depending on its size, as the entire tongue or part of it can be surgically removed. 

2. Radiation therapy 

It is considered one of the main types of treatments in cancer treatment, as it is used to eliminate cancer cells and reduce the size of the tumor. 

3. Immunotherapy 

It is considered one of the advanced treatments that are given to the patient in cases of advanced cancer, as it depends on giving medications to the patient in order to strengthen the immune system in order to fight the disease. 

4. Chemotherapy 

It works to kill cancer cells, but it also affects healthy cells, and it is a type of independent treatment. 

5. Physical therapy 

It is used to improve the tongue's ability to move so that it can speak, chew, and swallow. 

Complications of tongue cancer

Tongue cancer causes the patient to suffer from a number of complications that affect his quality of life, the most important of which are the following:

• Nerve damage, resulting in difficulty speaking and swallowing, as well as eating and chewing.
• It spreads to many other organs of the body in its advanced stages. 
• Difficulty drinking and many other issues that affect the patient’s quality of life. 
• Many side effects that occur as a result of exposure to chemotherapy and radiation. 
• Weight loss due to poor appetite and inability to eat. 
• Swelling in the neck area due to the spread of the disease in the lymph nodes. 

Ways to prevent tongue cancer

There are many methods that can be followed to prevent tongue cancer, which include all of the following:

• Paying attention to oral and dental hygiene and performing the necessary medical examinations periodically, especially when noticing any changes in the mouth or tongue. 
• Avoid consuming tobacco products, stop smoking and quit immediately. 
• Avoid infection with HPV by receiving the HPV vaccine. 
• Completely avoid drinking alcoholic beverages, as they are the main cause of tongue cancer, in addition to being forbidden. 

in the end We say that tongue cancer is a disease that appears on the surface of the tongue and grows in a way that is difficult to control, but its treatment has many aspects that are effective if it is detected early, especially when painful ulcers appear on the tongue, but attention must be paid to consulting a specialist doctor in order to receive the correct treatment and achieve recovery in a timely manner, and this can be done through Al Mousa Specialized Center, which provides a high amount of health care for these cases. 

FAQs

How do I differentiate between tongue fungus and tongue cancer?

Normal tongue fungus is yellow or white and disappears with time, while tongue cancer results in non-healing ulcers with the appearance of thick bumps, severe pain, and a change in voice, with difficulty swallowing. 

What do tongue cancer pills look like?

They appear in the form of ulcers, red or white spots, appear in abnormal colors and contribute to changing the texture of the tongue. 

What are the stages of tongue cancer?

The first stage begins with the presence of a protrusion in the tongue that may or may not be cancerous. After that, the tumor begins to appear and is small in size. After that, it begins to grow and becomes larger in size. As for the advanced stage of tongue cancer, the tumor is very large and spreads to some parts of the body, especially the lymph nodes. 

Medical references

Tongue cancer – mayoclinic

What is Tongue Cancer – clevelandclinic