Tongue cancer occurs when healthy cells are affected and divide rapidly to form a growth or a tumor. These developments start as growth cells in the thin, flat cells called squamous cells on the tongue’s surface. There are two types of tongue cancers – oral tongue cancer, which occurs on the part visible when one sticks one’s tongue out, and oropharyngeal cancer, which is diagnosed after the mutations spread to the lymph nodes.
Signs and symptoms
The most common signs of tongue cancer are white or red patches, sores, or lumps on the side of the tongue, which usually do not go away. Other signs include pain in or near the tongue, changes in voice, a sore throat, numb mouth or tongue, and trouble chewing, swallowing, or moving the jaws or tongue. One is likely to experience jaw swelling and a sensation that something is stuck in the throat.
Causes
Experts suspect various factors are responsible for tongue cancer. A cell’s DNA consists of various instructions that tell it what to do. Tongue cancer begins when the tongue’s healthy cells change their DNA, causing the cells to grow out of control and replace the healthy cells.
An excessive number of cancerous cells form growths called tumors, which can spread to other parts of the body. Experts also believe that the common human papillomavirus (HPV) causes cancers on the base of the tongue and is transmitted through human contact. Other risk factors may also contribute to the growth of tongue cancer, which includes people over the age of 45, the lack of dental care, and those with a weak immune system.
Management options
Tongue cancer management usually includes various expert-recommended treatments. The treatment plan is curated based on factors such as the cancer’s location and its growth speed. Other factors to consider before treatment include whether the mutation has spread to other body parts and the individual’s overall health and age. These include:
- Surgery: A surgical method known as a glossectomy is carried out to remove some or all of the tongue, which ensures that the cancer cells are removed and reduced significantly. If the tongue cancer spreads to the lymph nodes, the individual needs surgery to remove the affected nodes, called a neck dissection.
- Therapies: An expert may recommend various therapies to manage tongue cancer. One option includes radiation therapy, where powerful energy beams are directed to specific points of the body to eliminate the cancer cells. Another option is chemotherapy, which uses strong prescriptions to get rid of the cancerous developments. An expert may also recommend targeted therapy or immunotherapy.
- Coping and support: Treatments for the tongue may cause problems with one’s speech and also affect one’s ability to eat and drink properly. So, one could adopt various coping methods and support to improve physical and mental health. Speech and language therapists may help one improve the ability to speak. One could also join a support group to learn more about their condition and treatments to be more comfortable with making decisions associated with care.
