What Are the Symptoms and Treatment Methods of Tongue Cancer?

What Are the Symptoms and Treatment Methods of Tongue Cancer?

Tongue cancer is the mutation of cells on the tongue. Many factors can cause tongue cancer. Even neglected broken teeth in the mouth can pave the way for tongue cancer. Broken teeth can lead to tongue cancer due to the broken teeth in the mouth or as a result of long-term sores and lesions on the surface of the tongue. Since cancer in the back of the tongue is difficult to see and examine, it is often not diagnosed immediately. Cancer cells usually appear after spreading to the lymph nodes in the neck over time.

What Is Tongue Cancer?

Tongue cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the cellular structure of the tongue and causes abnormal growth in the cells of different areas of the tongue. It generally occurs due to the way cancer cells multiply and spread differently from normal cells. Sublingual cancer, root cancer of the tongue.

What Are the Causes of Tongue Cancer?

Some of the main causes contributing to the development of tongue cancer include:

• Smoking and alcohol consumption
• HPV (Human Papillomavirus) infections
• Genetic factors
• Poor oral hygiene and dental problems
• Weak immune system

What Are the Early Symptoms of Tongue Cancer?

Tongue cancer may not cause symptoms in the early stages. However, in advanced stages, the first signs of tongue cancer may include sores in the mouth that do not heal or swelling in the lymph nodes in the throat area. Other symptoms of tongue cancer may include:

• Sores and lesions on or around the tongue
• Changes in the color or texture of the tongue
• Persistent sore throat
• Pain or burning sensation in the tongue
• Feeling of something stuck in the throat
• Numbness in the mouth or tongue
• Difficulty swallowing
• Swelling of the jaw
• Changes in voice
• Bleeding in the mouth
• Swelling and lymph node enlargement
• Weight loss

How Is Tongue Cancer Staged?

The DNA of cells provides instructions on what the cell should do. Cancerous cells do not die like healthy cells in their natural life cycles. These changes indicate that cells lose control and continue to live. This leads to the formation of tumors by creating an excessive number of extra cells. Over time, these cancerous cells can break apart and spread to other parts of the body.

The stages of tongue cancer are a classification system used to determine how advanced and spread the cancer is, which includes:

• Stage I: In this stage, cancer is limited to only a part of the tongue. It is a stage where it is limited to the superficial layers of the tongue. There is no spread to lymph nodes or other tissues.
• Stage II: Stage II is a stage where cancer has grown further. The tumor may have spread to surrounding tissues,
• Stage III: Stage III is a condition where cancer has spread more extensively. The tumor may have spread outside the tongue and affected surrounding lymph nodes or tissues. However, cancer has not yet spread to distant organs.
• Stage IV: This stage is the most advanced stage of cancer. Cancer has spread to other organs outside the tongue or distant lymph nodes. In this stage, cancer usually shows an aggressive course.

How Is Tongue Cancer Diagnosed?

Tongue cancer is often first detected by a doctor or dentist during routine examinations of different specialties. Initially, a physical examination is performed by the doctor. During the physical examination, the doctor looks at the patient’s mouth, throat, and neck. The examination checks for swollen lymph nodes in the patient’s tongue and neck.

In addition to the physical examination, some tests and procedures are used to diagnose tongue cancer. Which methods are suitable for the patient depends on the individual’s medical history and the condition of the symptoms. In cases of suspected tongue cancer, the doctor may request tests that may include:

• Imaging tests: Imaging tests provide detailed information showing the inside of the body. Imaging tests can help doctors in diagnosis by providing images of the early signs of cancer in tongue cancer. Some imaging tests include computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and positron emission tomography.
• Endoscopic ultrasound: Endoscopy is a scanning method performed with a thin tube containing light and a camera. During the procedure, the tube is passed from the patient’s nose to the throat by the doctor. The doctor looks for signs of cancer in the patient’s mouth and throat area. It also examines other parts of the larynx and throat to investigate the spread of the tumor.
• Ultrasound: In some cases, ultrasound may be used to check for tumor formation in the lymph nodes. Ultrasound can show whether cancer has spread to the lymph nodes in the neck.
• Biopsy: This test involves taking a sample of cells from the tongue. In a biopsy, a sample can be collected by cutting a piece of tissue suspected of cancer or the entire tumor area. Additionally, a sample can be taken directly from the affected area using a thin needle. Laboratory tests can determine whether the cells are cancerous.

How Is Tongue Cancer Treated?

In the treatment of tongue cancer, doctors consider many factors such as the location of the cancer and its growth rate when creating a treatment plan. Some methods used in the treatment of tongue cancer include:

• Surgical Intervention: In small lesions, surgical operations may be performed to remove the tumor and surrounding healthy tissue. In cases of large or spread tumors, partial or complete removal of the tongue may be necessary. This may require tongue reconstruction.
• Radiotherapy: In this method, the doctor aims to kill cancer cells using high-energy rays. Radiotherapy can be used to eliminate remaining cancer cells after surgical intervention or to reduce the tumor.
• Chemotherapy: The aim of chemotherapy is to kill cancer cells with drug treatment. It is usually used in combination with radiotherapy or surgery.
• Targeted Therapies: In some cases, specially designed drugs or methods such as immunotherapy may be used to control the growth and spread of cancer cells.

What Is the Post-Treatment Process for Tongue Cancer?

There are several factors that patients should pay attention to after tongue cancer treatment. These factors may include:

• Recovery Process: After aggressive treatments such as surgical intervention or radiotherapy, the body usually needs rest and recovery time.
• Healing of Scars and Effects: Scarring may occur on the tongue or in the mouth after surgical intervention. The patient may experience partial changes in tongue movements or eating habits.
• Voice and Speech Therapy: Some patients may experience hoarseness or difficulty speaking after treatment. In this case, speech and voice therapists can help improve the patient’s voice quality and regain their speaking skills.
• Diet and Nutrition Changes: During or after treatment, issues such as possible swallowing difficulties, changes in taste perception, or weight loss can be alleviated with special diet programs and nutritional support prepared by dietitians.

In the post-treatment process, it is important for the patient to regularly attend doctor check-ups. These check-ups are performed to monitor the patient’s health status, evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment, and detect possible recurrences early. Additionally, psychological support and counseling services after treatment are important to support the patient’s emotional state and help them stay psychologically strong.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tongue cancer is a condition that can arise due to many different factors and is usually treated with surgical intervention by specialist doctors. Patients with symptoms of tongue cancer can start treatment by making an appointment at the Ear, Nose, and Throat outpatient clinic of hospitals for early diagnosis and treatment.