Lawrence Chow / ENT Doctor
Tongue Cancers: Diagnosis and Consultation Guide
Tongue cancer is a rare type of cancer that affects the tongue. Symptoms of tongue cancer may include pain, difficulty swallowing, or red patches in the white part of the mouth. It usually takes years for these symptoms to appear, which is why it’s important to be aware of them and discuss them with your ENT doctor when they do. If you have any of these symptoms, or notice any white or red patches in your mouth, it’s important to go to the doctor right away.
How do Doctor Diagnose Tongue Cancer?
Tongue cancers can be a result of a person’s genetic makeup, infections from HPV or HSV, a tobacco user, a poor immune system, uncontrolled diabetes and even alcohol consumption, etc.
Hence, the ENT doctor will take a medical history and ask specific questions about symptoms to make a diagnosis. A patient’s tongue and neck will be examined and a small, long-handled mirror will be used to look down the throat. There are several tests to be done.
It is generally diagnosed through a biopsy, which usually involves a doctor sticking a thin needle into the tumor. During this process, the doctor will try to remove as much tissue as possible. If the doctor thinks that it’s difficult to remove more tissue, they may have to take more samples from different areas on the tongue. This is called a surgical biopsy. They may also do a biopsy by injecting material into the tumor or cutting out a small piece of it and then looking at it under a microscope.
Another way doctors diagnose tongue cancer is through imaging scans such as X-rays, computed tomography (CT) scans, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). These scans can show how deep the tumor goes
Consultation Tips to help you get the most
- Remember the reason for your visit
- Write down questions you want answered before your visit
- Bring someone with you to help you ask questions and remember what your doctor tells you
- Write down the name of a new diagnosis, and any new medicines, treatments, or tests, any new instructions from your doctor
- Know why a new medicine or treatment is prescribed, and its side effects
- Ask if your condition can be treated in other ways
- Know why a test or procedure is recommended and what the results could mean
- Know what to expect if you do not take the medicine or test
- Write down the date, time, and purpose for a follow-up appointment if any
- Know how to contact your doctor for further questions
Did you find the information useful? If so, continue reading our ENT posts.
For details of our ENT services, diagnosis, and treatment, please consult our ENT specialist.
Source:
HK ENT Specialist Ltd.
Hong Kong based ENT clinic centre
For ENT Services, Audiology & Speech Therapy,
Sleep Disordered Breathing Management,
Hearing Aid Prescription & Medical Cosmetic Services
https://www.hkentspecialist.hk
A Guide To The Stages Of Tongue Cancer And Treatments
Tongue cancer is a form of cancer that starts in the cells near your tongue. This type of cancer is often caused by smoking or chewing tobacco but it can happen to anyone. It’s more common in males than females. The two most common types of tongue cancers are squamous cell carcinoma and verrucous carcinoma. It is sometimes found as a result from human papilloma virus, which can be contagious through bodily fluids or skin contact with a person who has it. There are also people who have an increased risk for developing this cancer due to hereditary factors.
How is Tongue Cancer Treated?
Tongue cancer is typically treated with surgery to remove cancerous tissue. If the cancer has grown deep into the mouth, it may require cutting part of the tongue or jawbone to get all of the tumor. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are also two main types of treatment for people with advanced cancers.
Understanding the Stages of Tongue Cancer
Tongue cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the lining of the mouth or throat. It can also spread to lymph nodes, cervical glands, and other parts of the body. There are 4 stages of tongue cancer:
- Stage 0 (in situ): The cancer is not present in the cells but is only in the basement membrane, the connective tissue that surrounds them;
- Stage I: The cancer has grown into the tissues around it and may be in one to two layers deep in the tongue;
- Stage II: The cancer has grown into three or more layers in depth in the tongue and may have grown into surrounding tissues;
- Stage III: The cancer has grown through three or more layers and has spread to organs such as lymph nodes or muscles around your head.
Treatment Options for Stage 1, 2 and 3 Tongue Cancer
Treatment options for stage 1, 2 and 3 tongue cancer are determined by the number of lymph nodes affected. For stage 2, 2-3 lymph nodes should be removed while for stage 3, all lymph nodes should be removed.
Treatment Options for Stage 4 Tongue Cancer
The tongue is made up of tissues that secrete fluids or food. The cancer cells can invade these tissues to form a tumor that blocks the ability to swallow or breathe. Stage 4 patients are likely to experience bleeding in the mouth, difficulty swallowing, and pain. Treatment options for this stage include:
- surgery,
- radiation therapy,
- chemotherapy,
- palliative care (lifestyle changes),
- clinical trials (experimental drugs).
Side Effects Of Surgical Removal Of Tongue Cancer
The side effects of surgical removal of tongue cancer can vary depending on the extent and location of the cancer. For some people, speech therapy and physical therapy may be prescribed to help with swallowing and speaking after surgery.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the study found that if a person is diagnosed with tongue cancer and they go through radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and surgery, their chances of surviving are much higher. There are many treatments for tongue cancer, but the best way to treat it is prevention. Be careful about what you eat, drink, and smoke. Minimize your contact with chemicals and radiation.
Did you find the information useful? If so, continue reading our ENT posts.
For details of our ENT services, diagnosis, and treatment, please consult our ENT specialist.
Source:
HK ENT Specialist Ltd.
Hong Kong based ENT clinic centre
For ENT Services, Audiology & Speech Therapy,
Sleep Disordered Breathing Management,
Hearing Aid Prescription & Medical Cosmetic Services
https://www.hkentspecialist.hk
What is tongue cancer and its Symptoms? Who is Likely to Get tongue cancer?
What is tongue cancer?
Tongue cancer is a form of head and neck cancer that involves the tongue. Although it is one of the rarest forms of cancer, it’s also one of the deadliest. The five-year survival rate for this type of cancer is only about 10 to 15%. Moreover, the symptoms may not be too obvious at first and can vary from person to person. In this article, you will learn more about tongue cancer , its type and symptoms, and who is likely to get tongue cancer.
Generally, there are two types of tongue cancer:
- Cancer of the oral tongue: The front two-thirds of the tongue that you can stick out is called the oral tongue.
- Cancer of the base of the tongue: The base is the back one-third of the tongue that extends down the throat.
Symptoms of Tongue Cancer
Tongue cancer is an umbrella term for any cancer that starts in the tongue. The tongue has lots of little bumps on its surface, which make it easier for the cancer to spread. As there are two common types of tongue cancer, we may list the symptoms seperately as below:
- 1. Oral Tongue Cancer
- a) A lump on the side of the tongue that touches the teeth.
- b) The lump often looks like an ulcer and is grayish-pink to red.
- c) The lump bleeds easily if bitten or touched.
- Base of Tongue Cancer
There are few symptoms in the early stages and the tumor is hard to see. It is usually diagnosed when growing larger. In later stages, the cancer may cause obvious symptoms:
- Pain,
- a sense of fullness in the throat,
- difficulty swallowing,
- the feeling of a lump in the neck or throat,
- voice changes or ear pain.
What causes tongue cancer, and Who is Likely to Get Tongue Cancer?
Some people develop tongue cancer with no risk factors. But it can be found more common in older age groups (age 40 and up). It is twice as common in men.
Other risk factors for this type of cancer are:
- Smoking and drinking alcohol
Smokers are five times more likely to develop tongue cancer than nonsmokers. If you have a history of smoking or heavy alcohol consumption, you are more likely to get tongue cancer.
- Heavy user of painkillers, AIDS, and human papillomavirus (HPV)
HPV 16 and HPV 18 increase the risk of tongue cancer. This infection is as common among men as it is women, and can affect people of any age.
- Hereditary Factors
There are also people who have an increased risk for developing this cancer due to hereditary factors. African-American men are at greater risk than Caucasians.
Did you find the information useful? If so, continue reading our ENT posts.
For details of our ENT services, diagnosis, and treatment, please consult our ENT specialist.
Source:
HK ENT Specialist Ltd.
Hong Kong based ENT clinic centre
For ENT Services, Audiology & Speech Therapy,
Sleep Disordered Breathing Management,
Hearing Aid Prescription & Medical Cosmetic Services
https://www.hkentspecialist.hk
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