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Tongue cancer

Tongue cancer origins in the cells of the tongue. Different forms of cancer can affect the tongue, but tongue cancer often begins as thin, flat, scaly cells lining the surface.

Occurrence

  • In the mouth
  • In the throat 

Mouth (oral tongue cancer)

Cancer forming in the mouth may be more likely to be seen and felt. This type of tongue cancer makes the diagnosis easy; when the tumor is tiny and more easily removed through surgery. 

Throat (hypopharyngeal tongue cancer)

You can notice a few signs at the tongue’s base, where tongue cancer may develop. Diagnosis of a tumor growing at the bottom of the tongue is an advanced stage where the tumor is more extensive, and cancer would have spread upon the lymph nodes in the neck. Human papillomavirus (HPV) can be associated with cancer at the base, affecting the prognosis and treatment of cancer.

Symptoms

Symptoms of tongue cancer related to mouth cancer include:

  • Mouth ulcers
  • Unexplained, persistent lumps in the neck or the mouth that do not go away
  • Loose teeth that do not heal after extractions
  • Constant numbness or any odd feeling on the lip or in the tongue
  • Sometimes you can witness on the inner lining of the mouth or tongue red or white patches
  • Alterations in speech, such as a lisp 

Treatments

Tongue cancer
Treatment for tongue cancer generally involves surgery to remove cancer. The doctor can suggest Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and targeted drug therapy.

Advanced tongue cancer Treatments can affect your ability to speak and eat, but operating with a skilled rehabilitation team can support you cope with changes that result from tongue cancer treatment.

Reviewed by – Dr. Priyanka, MBBS MD Microbiology
Page last reviewed: 04 October 2022