Overview

Tongue cancer is a type of mouth cancer, or oral cancer, that usually develops in the squamous cells on the surface of the tongue. It can cause tumors or lesions. The most noticeable signs of tongue cancer are a sore on the tongue that does not heal and a painful tongue.

Cancer can develop in two different areas of the tongue. Tongue cancer develops at the front of the tongue, while cancer at the back of the tongue is known as or opharyngeal cancer.

Symptoms of Tongue Cancer

The most common type of tongue cancer is called squamous cell carcinoma. Squamous cells are thin, flat cells that are present on the surface of the skin and the tongue, in the lining of the digestive and respiratory tracts, and in the lining of the mouth, throat, thyroid, and larynx.

The primary symptoms of tongue cancer are a painful tongue and the development of a sore on the tongue. Additional symptoms may include:

Pain in the jaw or throat
Pain when swallowing
Feeling as though something is catching in the throat
A stiff tongue or jaw
Problems swallowing or chewing food
A red or white patch forming on the lining of the mouth or tongue
A tongue ulcer that will not heal
Numbness in the mouth
Bleeding from the tongue without reason
A lump on the tongue that does not go away

The symptoms of tongue cancer are similar to those of other oral cancers, and they may also not be evident in the early stages of the disease. It is also possible for people to have some of these symptoms without having tongue cancer or another type of oral cancer.

Causes

Experts do not fully understand why some people get tongue cancer. However, specific risk factors can increase a person's likelihood of developing this disease.

Known risk factors include:

Smoking or chewing tobacco
Consuming alcohol in excess
Eating a diet low in fruit and vegetables and high in red meat or processed foods
Having a human papillomavirus (HPV) infection
Having a family history of tongue or mouth cancers
Having had previous cancers, particularly other squamous cell cancers

Older men are the group most at risk of tongue cancer. Oral cancers are most common in those aged 50 or above.

Smokers who also drink heavily are 15 times more likely to develop oral cancers than other people.

Additional risk factors include

Gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Betel chewing, a common habit in Southeast Asia
Exposure to particular chemicals, including asbestos, sulfuric acid, and formaldehyde
Poor oral hygiene or other factors affecting the mouth, such as jagged teeth that cause irritation or dentures that do not fit properly

Can it be cured?

It is possible to cure tongue cancer, and the outlook is better for people who get an early diagnosis. People who have cancer that has not spread have a higher rate of survival. The 5-year relative survival rate for tongue cancer is 78 percent before cancer spreads, compared with 36 percent once it has.

How is it diagnosed?

Anyone who is concerned that they might have tongue cancer should make an appointment with a doctor as soon as possible.At the appointment, the doctor is likely to spend time:

Asking about any relevant medical history, including family medical history
Examining the tongue and mouth
Examining the lymph nodes to see if there is any enlargement

If a doctor suspects that tongue cancer is present, they will perform a biopsy. This will involve them removing some tissue and sending it off for testing.

If the biopsy results confirm cancer, a doctor may recommend a CT scan or MRI scan, which will show whether or not cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

How is tongue cancer treated?

People with tongue cancer will usually require surgery to remove the cancerous tissue. Surgeons can generally remove smaller tumors in a single operation. Multiple and more complicated operations may be necessary if larger tumors are present or if the cancer has spread. The surgeon may also need to remove part of the tongue. If this is the case, they will attempt to rebuild the tongue using skin or tissue from other parts of the body.

Surgery that involves the removal of part or all of the tongue is called a glossectomy. Although doctors will attempt to minimize the damage to the mouth during the procedure, some side effects are inevitable.

Glossectomy can affect:

Speaking
Eating
Breathing
Swallowing

In addition to surgery, some people may have radiation or chemotherapy treatment to kill any cancerous cells that remain.

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Prevention

It is not possible to prevent tongue cancer from developing. However, if people notice any of the signs or symptoms of tongue cancer they should make an appointment with their doctor as soon as possible. The earlier a doctor can diagnose the disease, the sooner treatment can begin and the more favorable the outlook.

There are also lifestyle factors that people can control to minimize their risk of developing tongue cancer. These include:

Quitting smoking can reduce the risk of developing tongue cancer.

Quitting Smoking
Avoiding chewing tobacco products or betel
Limiting alcohol intake or avoiding it completely
Eating a varied, healthful diet that includes lots of fruit and vegetables
Practicing good dental hygiene by brushing and flossing regularly and attending regular dental appointments
Receiving a full course of the HPV vaccine
Practicing safe sex and using a dental dam for oral sex