Tongue Cancer Prognosis

The tongue, located in the oral cavity, is a muscular organ richly supplied with nerves and blood vessels. The tongue is always kept moist with the help of a thin membrane called the mucosa and salivary glands. The main function of this sensory organ, which has a number of taste buds on its surface, is to differentiate between the four tastes - sweet, salty, bitter and sour. Other functions of the tongue include speech, chewing and swallowing the food, etc. There are various infections and diseases which may affect the tongue, owing to unhealthy practices or due to the presence of pathogens. Some of these diseases can be cured with the help of proper treatment methods, whereas some may be incurable in nature. Cancer is one such disease that affects the tongue. This cancer of the tongue is also known as oral cancer, and may lead to a number of complications.

Tongue Cancer: A Brief Overview

As seen earlier, the tongue also falls prey to a number of infections and diseases. One such disease is tongue cancer, which is malignant in nature. One of the main causes of tongue cancer is squamous cell carcinoma, which is also one of the leading causes of many other cancers. The tumor, which appears as a white bump, grows on the front of the tongue (two-thirds of the tongue). As time progresses, these tumors increase in size and may become painful sores. The incidence of tongue cancer is more in men, as compared to women, and is commonly seen in men above 40 years of age.

The main cause for this mouth cancer is excessive intake of alcohol and smoking. Chewing tobacco, betel or areca nuts can also make the individual susceptible to tongue cancer. These substances release toxins, which may trigger the unhealthy growth and spread of cancerous cells. Other risk factors for tongue cancer may include a weak immune system, improper diet habits, exposure to toxic chemicals, etc. Tongue cancer may metastasize and spread to the lymph nodes. Cancer of the tongue which has spread to the throat is referred to as oropharyngeal cancer.

Signs of Tongue Cancer

There are several signs of the cancer of the tongue, which can indicate the presence of this disease. Observing these symptoms will help diagnose the exact stage of cancer.

• The early symptoms of tongue cancer can be noticed on the lips in the form of sores, which may take a longer time to subside. There is also a formation of pus-filled sores in the corners of the mouth. These can spread to the oral cavity and become tongue sores.
• Tongue ulcers at the edge of the tongue is also an indication of cancer. These ulcers or lesions can be pinkish-gray to red in color and may bleed if it is bitten or touched.
• Tongue pain, and a feeling of numbness followed by difficulty in chewing and swallowing can be noticed. Bad breath can also be observed as one of the tongue cancer symptoms, especially in the advanced stages.
• If the cancer has spread to the throat, then it may exhibit symptoms like a sore throat, metallic taste in the mouth and change in the voice. Tongue cancer may also spread to the gums and teeth and exhibit symptoms like bleeding gums, appearance of white patches on the gums, loose teeth etc.

Treatment and Prognosis of Tongue Cancer

Tongue cancer diagnosis can be done with the help of an oral exam, biopsy of tumor and blood tests. Once the diagnostic tests are done, the treatment according to the staging of cancer, is administered. The treatment may include chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery. Chemotherapy and radiation help destroy the cancerous cells and also restrict their development. Surgery, mainly radical neck dissection, is opted when the tumor has spread to the lymph nodes and needs to be removed. After the surgery, the person may require the assistance of a speech therapist to get back to normal.

Prognosis is considerably positive if it is detected in its initial stage and treated accordingly. As with all cancers, tongue cancer also has four stages based on the spread of the cancerous cells. With the help of proper treatment, the growth of the cells can be brought under control. Early detection of oral squamous cell carcinoma always proves beneficial when it comes to the outlook of cancer. The tongue cancer prognosis is based on factors like the age and overall health of the patient, the stage at which the cancer was detected, the treatment administered and how the patient is responding to the treatment. The survival rate of this cancer also has a positive outcome, with approximately 50 to 65 percent of patients responding well to the treatment, if the cancer is diagnosed in the early stages and can live for up to 5 years. Even when detected in the advanced stage, the mandible and larynx can be saved with proper treatment in almost 75 percent of the patients.

Early detection of tongue cancer can cure this dangerous disease. It is also beneficial to stay away from vices like alcohol, smoking and tobacco chewing, etc. A regular oral checkup is advisable in order to keep oral disorders at bay.