Tongue cancer: causes, symptoms and treatment of the disease

Cancer of the tongue – among various types of oncological diseases – one of the most common. In the course of the disease, a malignant tumor affects the body of the tongue, provoking the formation of cancer cells in the upper layer of the epithelium.

In order to overcome a disease characterized by aggressiveness and transience, it is necessary to begin treatment when the first symptoms appear – at the initial stage. estet-portal.com invites you to get acquainted with the main causes and manifestations of this disease, learn about its methods of treatment and prevention.

Varieties and classification of cancer of the tongue

The most common type of malignant neoplasm of the oral cavity can affect different parts of the organ.

• Tumor of the body of the tongue. This type is considered the most common – 7 out of 10 malignant tumors appear in this zone.
• Neoplasm in the root of the tongue. Every fifth tumor of the tongue, according to statistics, falls on the root of the organ. This type is characterized by aggressive development.
• Cancer of the lower part of the tongue. This type is considered the least common – it occurs in 10% of cases.

According to the form, the disease is divided into:

• Ulcerative. Bleeding ulcers with jagged edges appear on the surface of the organ.
• Infiltrative. In the patient's tongue, an infiltrate is formed – accumulation of mutated cells. This form of the disease is characterized by a pronounced pain syndrome.
• Papillary. Papillary cancer of the tongue differs in the type of formations: they grow above the surface of the organ on a stalk. Often such formations appear on the side.

The pattern of tumor growth is of two types:

• Exophytic – education goes beyond language;
• Endophytic – the tumor does not extend beyond the tongue, but grows inside his body.

A distinctive feature of cancerous tumors is the rapid spread of metastases throughout the body. Timely treatment will stop the development of the disease and prevent the occurrence of tumors in other organs.

The main causes of tumor development in the tongue

The reason for the development of any cancer is the influence of chemical and physical carcinogens. The main negative factors that contribute to the formation of malignant tumors are:

1. Smoking. Tobacco smoke contains a large amount of benzpyrene – a chemical carcinogen that poses a threat even at low concentrations. Accumulating in the body, benzpyrene leads to cell mutation and provokes malignant neoplasms.
2. Alcohol use. Drinks containing alcohol are also classified as carcinogens. Combining with saliva, ethanol begins to transform into acetaldehyde – a chemical compound that can cause mutations at the cellular level and provoke tumors. In addition, in combination with tobacco smoke, acetaldehyde greatly increases the likelihood of developing malignant tumors.
3. Frequent mechanical injuries of the tongue. Chronic injury contributes to:
   • Poorly fitted dentures;
   • Chipped teeth;
   • Regular tongue biting.
4. Negative impact on the body of factors associated with the professional activity of a person. Constant contact with derivatives of heavy metals (mercury, lead, thallium, etc.), oil industry products and other harmful chemical and bacteriological substances contributes to the development of oncological diseases.

Associated negative factors include:

• regular consumption of overly hot foods and drinks;
• regular consumption of spicy foods;
• frequent inflammation of the oral cavity.

In addition, there are several diseases that can cause malignant tumors. The risk of oncology increases most strongly after:

• Bowen's disease. This disease provokes the formation of spots on the tongue, which then turn into erosion.
• Leukoplatia. This disease provokes a constant inflammation of one of the parts of the tongue, which can become keratinized over time.

It is worth noting that the likelihood of developing a malignant tumor on the body of the tongue increases after 40 years. The reason for this is the increase in the concentration of carcinogens accumulated by the body.

The main symptoms of the disease known as cancer of the tongue

Cancer of the tongue, like any other malignant tumor, responds well to treatment at an early stage. The main problem is that  the course of the disease in most cases is asymptomatic, & nbsp; practically does not appear until the transition to later stages.

However, it is possible to notice the development of tongue cancer even at the very beginning. The main signs of tumor development are:

• Discomfort. The onset of tumor development is characterized by discomfort in the affected area. The patient may experience tingling, numbness, or burning in the tongue.
• Unpleasant smell. One of the first heralds of ulcerative neoplasms is the appearance of an unpleasant odor in the mouth, despite proper care and the absence of diseased teeth.
• Migrating pain. The early stages of the disease are characterized by pain that does not have a clear location; also, painful sensations can migrate and be given to apparently healthy areas: gums, cheeks, etc.
• Visual changes. At an early stage in the development of an oncological neoplasm, a patient may detect the appearance of spots, ulcers, erosions, or papillomas. On palpation, a slight induration may be detected.

Over time, the symptoms are joined by:

• trouble swallowing;
• increased salivation;
• difficult speech, appearance of speech defects;
• tongue bleeding;
• severe pain;
• enlargement of submandibular and behind-the-ear lymph nodes.

Since the initial symptoms are similar to those of other diseases (for example, with abscess of the tongue), at the first ailments, you should consult a doctor and examine the body.

Modern methods of diagnosing oncological formations of the oral cavity

As you know, the success of the treatment of the disease largely depends on timely diagnosis. At the first symptoms of tongue cancer, the patient should consult a dentist. During the examination, the doctor should palpate the affected area, examine the oral cavity with the help of mirrors and find out the entire history of the disease. If a malignant tumor is suspected, the dentist should give a referral to an oncologist.

The following diagnostic methods are used in the process of oncology examination:

• Biopsy – the study of biomaterial taken from the affected area, allows you to determine the presence of metastases.
• Bacterioscopy – smear examination is necessary to identify pathogens that provoke a number of diseases of the oral cavity.
• Ultrasound diagnostics – needed to determine the size of an endophytic tumor.
• X-ray – allows you to determine the presence of changes in the bone structure of the skull.
• Computer or magnetic resonance imaging – allows you to determine whether metastases have spread to the brain.

Because the primary symptoms of tongue cancer are similar to those of other oral diseases, your doctor may consider other tests. This will determine the nature of the disease and begin timely treatment.

Methods of treating the disease at different stages of development

Cancer treatment is determined by its stage. Today, oncologists prefer to combine treatment methods, since this approach in the vast majority of cases achieves the desired results.

Currently, there are three main methods of fighting cancer:

• Surgery can completely remove the tumor. Depending on the degree of damage, the doctor determines the size of the part to be removed. In some cases, the patient needs to remove the entire organ.
• Radiation therapy may be given before or after surgery, and in some cases is the primary treatment. Modern radiotherapy is a very effective method that has very few side effects.
• Chemotherapy involves the destruction of mutated cells with the help of special drugs. It is usually prescribed if the tumor is inoperable, or if the metastases have spread sufficiently. Often this method of treatment is combined with radiation therapy. The results of such treatment are very good, but the combination of the two methods has a bad effect on the condition of patients.

Results are evaluated as treatment progresses. The patient should be regularly tested in order to detect complications or relapses in time.

Prevention of cancer of the tongue and other oral tumors

Preventing tongue cancer is easy enough. According to statistics, the disease rarely affects people who do not smoke, rarely drink alcohol and regularly perform the necessary oral hygiene procedures.

Regular dental examinations make it possible not only to detect an early stage of cancer, but also to prevent the disease by getting rid of caries and chips that injure the mucous membrane of the tongue in a timely manner.

Cancer of the tongue – a serious disease that is easier to prevent than to cure. Do not forget about the rules of hygiene, avoid bad habits and the disease will bypass you. More useful information about health and beauty can be found at estet-portal.com.