tongue cancer

A Guide To The Stages Of Tongue Cancer And Treatments

Published 2022-03-29 | By editor

Tongue cancer is a form of cancer that starts in the cells near your tongue. This type of cancer is often caused by smoking or chewing tobacco but it can happen to anyone. It’s more common in males than females. The two most common types of tongue cancers are squamous cell carcinoma and verrucous carcinoma. It is sometimes found as a result from human papilloma virus, which can be contagious through bodily fluids or skin contact with a person who has it. There are also people who have an increased risk for developing this cancer due to hereditary factors.

How is Tongue Cancer Treated?

Tongue cancer is typically treated with surgery to remove cancerous tissue. If the cancer has grown deep into the mouth, it may require cutting part of the tongue or jawbone to get all of the tumor. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are also two main types of treatment for people with advanced cancers.

Understanding the Stages of Tongue Cancer

Tongue cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the lining of the mouth or throat. It can also spread to lymph nodes, cervical glands, and other parts of the body. There are 4 stages of tongue cancer:

Stage 0 (in situ): The cancer is not present in the cells but is only in the basement membrane, the connective tissue that surrounds them;
Stage I: The cancer has grown into the tissues around it and may be in one to two layers deep in the tongue;
Stage II: The cancer has grown into three or more layers in depth in the tongue and may have grown into surrounding tissues;
Stage III: The cancer has grown through three or more layers and has spread to organs such as lymph nodes or muscles around your head.

Treatment Options for Stage 1, 2 and 3 Tongue Cancer

Treatment options for stage 1, 2 and 3 tongue cancer are determined by the number of lymph nodes affected. For stage 2, 2-3 lymph nodes should be removed while for stage 3, all lymph nodes should be removed.

Treatment Options for Stage 4 Tongue Cancer

The tongue is made up of tissues that secrete fluids or food. The cancer cells can invade these tissues to form a tumor that blocks the ability to swallow or breathe. Stage 4 patients are likely to experience bleeding in the mouth, difficulty swallowing, and pain. Treatment options for this stage include:

surgery,
radiation therapy,
chemotherapy,
palliative care (lifestyle changes),
clinical trials (experimental drugs).

Side Effects Of Surgical Removal Of Tongue Cancer

The side effects of surgical removal of tongue cancer can vary depending on the extent and location of the cancer. For some people, speech therapy and physical therapy may be prescribed to help with swallowing and speaking after surgery.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the study found that if a person is diagnosed with tongue cancer and they go through radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and surgery, their chances of surviving are much higher. There are many treatments for tongue cancer, but the best way to treat it is prevention. Be careful about what you eat, drink, and smoke. Minimize your contact with chemicals and radiation.

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Source:

HK ENT Specialist Ltd.

Hong Kong based ENT clinic centre

For ENT Services, Audiology & Speech Therapy,

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https://www.hkentspecialist.hk

Posted in ENT cancer, Head and Neck Surgery | Tagged stages of tongue cancer, tongue cancer, treatments of tongue cancer

What is tongue cancer and its Symptoms? Who is Likely to Get tongue cancer?

Published 2022-03-15 | By editor

What is tongue cancer?

Tongue cancer is a form of head and neck cancer that involves the tongue. Although it is one of the rarest forms of cancer, it’s also one of the deadliest. The five-year survival rate for this type of cancer is only about 10 to 15%. Moreover, the symptoms may not be too obvious at first and can vary from person to person. In this article, you will learn more about tongue cancer , its type and symptoms, and who is likely to get tongue cancer.

Generally, there are two types of tongue cancer:

Cancer of the oral tongue: The front two-thirds of the tongue that you can stick out is called the oral tongue.
Cancer of the base of the tongue: The base is the back one-third of the tongue that extends down the throat.

Symptoms of Tongue Cancer

Tongue cancer is an umbrella term for any cancer that starts in the tongue. The tongue has lots of little bumps on its surface, which make it easier for the cancer to spread. As there are two common types of tongue cancer, we may list the symptoms seperately as below:

1. Oral Tongue Cancer
a) A lump on the side of the tongue that touches the teeth.
b) The lump often looks like an ulcer and is grayish-pink to red.
c) The lump bleeds easily if bitten or touched.
Base of Tongue Cancer

There are few symptoms in the early stages and the tumor is hard to see. It is usually diagnosed when growing larger. In later stages, the cancer may cause obvious symptoms:

Pain,
a sense of fullness in the throat,
difficulty swallowing,
the feeling of a lump in the neck or throat,
voice changes or ear pain.

What causes tongue cancer, and Who is Likely to Get Tongue Cancer?

Some people develop tongue cancer with no risk factors. But it can be found more common in older age groups (age 40 and up). It is twice as common in men.

Other risk factors for this type of cancer are:

Smoking and drinking alcohol

Smokers are five times more likely to develop tongue cancer than nonsmokers. If you have a history of smoking or heavy alcohol consumption, you are more likely to get tongue cancer.

Heavy user of painkillers, AIDS, and human papillomavirus (HPV)

HPV 16 and HPV 18 increase the risk of tongue cancer. This infection is as common among men as it is women, and can affect people of any age.

Hereditary Factors

There are also people who have an increased risk for developing this cancer due to hereditary factors. African-American men are at greater risk than Caucasians.