TONGUE CARCINOMA - WatsonsHealth

TONGUE CARCINOMA

Tongue cancer is a type of malignancy that starts in the cells of the tongue.

A few types of cancer can influence the tongue, however tongue growth frequently starts in the thin, squamous cells that line the surface of the tongue. The cells that lead to your tongue tumor usually determines the type of treatment.

TYPES

The type of tongue cancer additionally influences your treatment. Tongue cancer types are based on location.

  • Tongue cancer in the mouth or oral tongue cancer, which can easily be removed by surgery
  • Tongue cancer in the throat or at the base of the tongue, where it has a few signs and symptoms (hypopharyngeal tongue cancer). Base of the tongue cancers are related with human papillomavirus (HPV) infections.

 

SYMPTOMS

Symptoms of tongue cancer include the following:

  • A red or white patch on your tongue
  • A tongue ulcer
  • Pain while gulping
  • Mouth numbness
  • A sore throat
  • Bleeding from your tongue with no evident reason
  • A mass on your tongue that holds on

DIAGNOSIS

Diagnosis of tongue cancer is done by obtaining a medical history and doing a physical exam. A biopsy may be done on the tongue mass. Blood tests may be obtain to rule out other metabolic problems and imaging tests such as x-ray, CT scan or MRI may be done to assess the extent of the malignancy.

 

TREATMENT

Doctors will work with you to figure out which medications will best meet your objectives. Your choices for tongue cancer treatment rely upon the type of tongue tumor you have, its area and its stage. Your doctor additionally considers your plans and attempts to make a customized plan that is best for your case.

Tongue cancer medications can possibly affect your talking and gulping, so your doctor may give medicines that will enable you to keep up with your daily functioning.

Surgery may be done in the form of transoral surgery, transoral robotic surgery, open surgery, sentinel node biopsy and reconstructive surgery.

Radiation therapy may also be given for early or advanced tongue cancer.

Chemotherapy may be done as well as targeted therapy.

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