Tongue cancer, a diagnosis that can send shivers down one’s spine, demands our attention and understanding. It is part of a broader category of head and neck cancers. Tongue cancer grows in the surface of the tongue or in the tongue’s base.
In this comprehensive blog, we will explore everything about jaw cancer treatment, and its origins and will also unravel its symptoms, and the cutting-edge treatments that stand at the forefront of medical progress.
Origin Of Tongue Cancer
Tongue cancer occurs in the surface cells of the tongue, called squamous cells. These cells play a vital role in the tongue’s functions.
The development of tongue cancer usually begins with genetic mutations in the DNA of squamous cells. These mutations disrupt the normal control mechanisms that regulate cell growth and division. As a result, the affected cells start to multiply rapidly and uncontrollably, forming a tumour.
Symptoms
The symptoms of tongue cancer can vary depending on its stage. While not all symptoms indicate tongue cancer, consult a healthcare professional if you experience the following symptoms:
- Ulcer on the tongue: This is one of the early signs of tongue cancer. When you get ulcer on your tongue and that takes time to heal more than two weeks, then you may have to see your private dentist. It may appear as a red or white patch on the surface of the tongue and can be painful or painless.
- Pain or discomfort: Tongue cancer can cause persistent pain or discomfort in the affected area. The discomfort can extend and affect the ear as well.
- Difficulty swallowing: As the cancer progresses, it may become more challenging to swallow food or liquids. This difficulty may be accompanied by a sensation of a lump in the throat.
- Changes in speech: Tongue cancer can affect speech, causing noticeable changes in the way you speak or pronounce certain sounds. You may experience slurred speech or difficulty articulating words clearly.
- Numbness or loss of feeling: The presence of tongue cancer can lead to numbness or loss of feeling in the tongue or surrounding areas. This can affect your ability to taste or feel sensations in the mouth.
- Lump or thickening: A lump or thickening in the tongue may be felt or observed. There may be swelling of the affected area.
- Enlarged lymph nodes: If the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes, you may notice swollen or enlarged lymph nodes in the neck.
- Unexplained weight loss: Tongue cancer, like other types of cancer, can lead to unexplained weight loss, loss of appetite, or a general feeling of weakness and fatigue.
Treatment
Tongue cancer treatment depends on the stage of cancer, location, and tumour’s size. Here are some common treatment modalities used for tongue cancer:
- Surgery: Oral cancer surgery is often the primary treatment for tongue cancer. The goal is to remove the tumour and a margin of healthy tissue surrounding it. The extent of surgery may vary, ranging from a minor excision of the tumour to partial or total removal of the tongue (glossectomy). Reconstructive surgery is done to restore the functionality of the tongue.
- Radiation therapy: It uses high-energy beams to identify and destroy cancer cells. It may be used as the primary treatment or in combination with surgery. External beam radiation therapy is commonly employed, where radiation is delivered externally to the affected area. In some cases, brachytherapy may be used, which involves placing radioactive sources near the tumour site.
- Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy utilizes anti-cancer drugs to kill cancer cells or inhibit their growth. Chemotherapy may be used with other treatment options like surgery and radiation therapy. Chemotherapy is most effective procedure when the cancer has spread to other parts of the human body through the tongue.
- Targeted therapy: Targeted therapies are medications that specifically target certain molecular characteristics of cancer cells, blocking their growth or interfering with specific pathways involved in cancer development.
- Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy harnesses the body’s immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells. The process involves stimulating the immune response to target cancer cells. This treatment may be used in tongue cancer.
Prevention
Preventing tongue cancer involves adopting a range of healthy habits and minimizing exposure to known risk factors. First you need to restrain from tobacco, and cigarettes. Tobacco contains harmful chemicals that damage the tongue. They can also increase the odds of tongue cancer. Quitting smoking and staying away from tobacco products significantly reduces the chances of developing tongue cancer.
At Thousand Smiles, we have a dedicated team of dental professionals that are committed to providing comprehensive care to prevent tongue cancer. They will be helpful in early detection, and diagnosis.
We know that oral cancer can be cured. So, take charge of your oral health and schedule a consultation with us for early detection and comprehensive care against tongue cancer.