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Tongue cancer is a type of oral cancer where abnormal cells begin to grow in the patient’s tongue and form a lesion or a tumor. It falls under the category of head and neck cancer. Usually, this type of cancer develops in the squamous cells of the tongue. The most noticeable symptom of this disease is the formation of a sore which does not go away even after local application of antibiotic creams. In some cases, the patient experiences pain in the tongue due to this sore.
Tongue cancer may either occur in the front of the tongue, and it is known as “oral tongue cancer.” It may also affect the base of the tongue and Oncologists term it as “oropharyngeal cancer.”
The most common type of tongue cancer is known as “squamous cell carcinoma,” and it mostly affects the lining of the mouth, larynx, thyroid and the lining of the digestive and respiratory tract.
Tongue cancer may occur due to the infection by human papillomavirus (HPV). This virus also causes cancer in the genital area of human beings like cervical cancer, and it is often sexually transmitted from one person to another. Several categories of HPV causes cancer, among them, high-risk HPV is the deadliest one.
Stages and grades of tongue cancer depend on the extent of the spread of a tumor. It indicates whether the disease is still localized or metastasized in other organs. The Oncologist uses numbers and alphabets to denote the stages of tongue cancer.
Individual behavior and lifestyles changes make one prone to tongue cancer. These include those who
Consume alcohol regularly
Men are more prone to tongue cancer than women. Studies have revealed that people above 55 years of age have a high risk of tongue cancer.
Usually, tongue cancer which develops at the base of the oral cavity does not show any signs in the early stage. If cancer develops on the front of the tongue, it may show symptoms like
Physical examination of the mouth generally helps in diagnosis of tongue cancer. The Oncologist looks for mouth ulcers which do not heal for a long time. He also records the patient’s history like smoking or drinking habit, HPV infection, and family history of oral cancer. In addition to these, the doctor may also recommend X-Ray, MRI and CT scan. A biopsy is a confirmatory test for tongue cancer. Nowadays, doctors conduct an advanced type of brush biopsy to confirm or rule out tongue cancer. Here, the doctor rolls on a small brush over the tongue to collect samples for further analysis.
If detected in the early stages, tongue cancer can be cured. However, late detection and metastasis reduce the chances of successful treatment. It may also give rise to some complications like
Treatment of tongue cancer depends on the stage or size of a tumor. In the early stages, Oncologists recommend a surgery along with the test of the nearby lymph nodes to ascertain that cancer is no longer present in the body. In the advanced stages, radiation therapy, as well as chemotherapy, is a more suitable mode of treatment. Patients undergo regular follow up check-ups to make sure that cancer has not recurred in the body.
A Complete course of HPV vaccination can help in the prevention of the development of tongue cancer later in life.
Incorporating a generous dose of fruits and vegetables in the diet can minimise the risk of tongue cancer. Fruits contain anti-oxidants which fight off the free radicals which are carcinogenic
Transoral robotic surgery is a new method of removing tumours from the base of the tongue.
Liver cancer is one such type of cancer that occurs due to the occurrence of tumors in the liver.
Throat cancer is a type of cancer. This is a disease where abnormal cells multiply rapidly and uncontrollably. This growth of abnormal cells is known as a tumour. When this abnormal growth of cells originates in the throat, it is called throat cancer.
Any type is cancer is caused by uncontrolled growth and division of the cells. Cancerous cells lose the ability to recognize when to stop growing. This gives rise to tumors which may be benign or malignant.