Tongue cancer is an emotionally terrifying cancer of the tongue, and it is important to be able to recognize tongue cancer symptoms. This type of cancer involves a tumor or a malignant lesion in any part of the tongue, and could be in the front free-moving part of the tongue or at the base of the tongue in the back.
INTRODUCTIONKnow More Tongue cancer is a form of cancer that begins in the cells of the tongue. Several types of cancer can affect the tongue, but tongue cancer most often begins in the thin, flat squamous cells that line the surface of the tongue. The type of cells involved in your tongue cancer helps determine your prognosis and treatment.
Tongue cancer can occur in the mouth, where it may be more likely to be seen and felt (oral tongue cancer). If caught early, surgery can often remove the cancerous growth before it metastasizes and spreads to other parts of the body. So, early diagnosis and treatment is highly recommended.
Types of tongue cancer are :
This is the most common type of tongue cancer which is flat, skin like cells that cover the lining of the mouth, nose, larynx, thyroid and throat. Squamous cell carcinoma is the name for a cancer that starts in these cells. Squamous cell carcinoma develops when some squamous cells mutate and become abnormal.
Verrucous carcinoma, a type of very slow-growing cancer made up of squamous cells. This type of cancer rarely spreads to other parts of the body, but it may invade nearby tissue.
This disease includes several types of oral cancer that may develop on the minor salivary glands, which are located throughout the lining of the mouth and throat. These include adenoid cystic carcinoma, mucoepidermoid carcinoma and polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma.
Oral cancer like tongue cancer that develop in lymph tissue, which is part of the immune system, are known as lymphomas. The tonsils and base of the tongue both contain lymphoid tissue.
Several types of non-cancerous tumors and tumor-like conditions may develop in the oral cavity and oropharynx. Sometimes, these conditions may develop into cancer. For this reason, benign tumors are often surgically removed.
RISK FACTORS Know More White tongue is the result of an overgrowth and swelling of the fingerlike projections (papillae) on the surface of your tongue. The appearance of a white coating is caused by debris, bacteria and dead cells getting lodged between the enlarged and sometimes inflamed papillae.
Causes of papillae hypertrophy or inflammation include, for example:
SIGN & SYMPTOMS Know More Symptoms of tongue cancer include :
DIAGNOSIS & TREATMENTS Know More To make a diagnosis, the doctor will take a medical history and patient's tongue and neck will be examined. Several tests are used to aid in the diagnosis. These tests include :
Dr. Dipen Patel has extensive experience treating tongue cancer. Surgeons often partner with pathologists, who analyze tissue during surgery to make sure all of the cancer has been removed.
Approaches used during tongue cancer surgery may include :
Transoral surgery : Surgeons remove most tongue cancer through the mouth (transoral surgery). To remove the cancer, doctors may use cutting tools or lasers during surgery.Radiation therapy uses high-powered beams of energy, such as X-rays and protons, to kill cancer cells. Radiation therapy may be an option for early or advanced tongue cancer.
Dr. Dipen Patel has access to the most advanced radiation therapy treatments, such as intensity-modulated radiation therapy, which precisely targets radiation to tumor cells and limits radiation exposure to nearby normal tissue, and brachytherapy, which places radioactive material close to the tumor site.
Dr. Dipen Patel also offers proton therapy to precisely deliver radiation with less damage to surrounding tissue.
Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy may be used along with radiation therapy to treat locally advanced tongue cancer. For tongue cancer that has recurred or has spread to other areas of the body, chemotherapy may be recommended to slow the growth of the cancer.
Targeted therapy drugs alter specific aspects of cancer cells that fuel their growth. These drugs can interrupt the spread and growth of specific tongue cancer cells. Targeted therapy is often used in combination with chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
Some people need help to improve their swallowing and speech function during and after tongue cancer treatment.
If cancer or treatment makes it difficult for you to eat enough to get all the nutrients you need, your doctor may recommend tube feeding (enteral nutrition).
Palliative care is specialized medical care that focuses on providing relief from pain and other symptoms of a serious illness. Palliative care is provided by a team of doctors, nurses and other specially trained professionals. Palliative care teams aim to improve the quality of life for people with cancer and their families. This form of care is offered alongside curative or other treatments you may be receiving.
