Tongue cancer is a fairly rare disease. No more than 2% of all cancer patients suffer from it. Statistics say that men from 50 to 55 are most affected by this rare disease. Tongue cancer is developing at an accelerated pace, which is why serious types of complications appear in the human body. The terrible thing is that pronounced symptoms appear only at a late stage, when it is extremely dangerous for humans. However, today in world practice there are a number of effective methods of treating this rare disease.
Tongue cancer: classification
This disease has its own classification series. So, tongue cancer can develop in such location areas:
- on the tip of the tongue;
- on the root;
- sideways;
- in the sublingual part;
- at the bottom of the oral cavity.
The most dangerous is the development of cancer in the root of the tongue, since this area is difficult to operate.
Cancer of the body of the tongue is usually observed in 70% of patients. This type of disease affects the lateral and middle parts.
About 20% of all patients with similar oncology suffer from the development of cancer of the tongue at the root. The appearance of a malignant tumor in the posterior half of the oral cavity is always accompanied by aggressive development.
Malignant tumors in the sublingual part of the tongue are found in 10% of cases.
According to the histological composition, two types of cancer are distinguished: squamous (95% suffer) and adenocarcinoma.
There are three types of tongue cancer tumors (photo below):
- The ulcerative form begins its development in the form of manifestation of compaction in the tongue, which gradually turns into an ulcer. Very often bleeding and severe pain are noticed.
- Infiltrative appearance - the tumor is thick to the touch, and white spots appear on its surface, the accompanying symptom is severe pain.
- Papillary appearance - a neoplasm in the tongue is quite solid with dense plaque to the touch, the progression is slow.
Malignant tumors of the tongue usually quickly metastasize by lymphogenous and hematogenous methods.
Tongue cancer: stages
This disease has three stages: initial, more developed and neglected. Cancer of the tongue (a photo of the initial stage is presented) is diagnosed quite difficult, especially in the early stages of the development of the disease.
The reason is that many patients simply do not feel severe pain in the oral cavity, and therefore do not sound the alarm.
It is necessary to consider in more detail the symptomatic signs of each stage of the tongue:
- The initial stage manifests itself painlessly and with an almost imperceptible small seal on the tongue. The results of the diagnosis of the first stage are similar to the disease of purulent tonsillitis, stomatitis and other infectious diseases.
- Patients with a second stage of tongue cancer notice such signs: burning of the lateral part of the tongue and palatine tonsils, severe itching, ulcers on the tongue that are open and bleeding. The second stage of the disease (developed) is accompanied by an increase in the neoplasm up to 1 centimeter, which grows into the muscles and bones of the face.
- The advanced stage of tongue cancer is accompanied by a significant increase in the size of the tumor - up to 2 centimeters, which is visible to the naked eye. In patients of the last stage of the disease, the following symptoms are observed: severe pain, which is given to the temple and frontal sinus; the digestive system is disturbed; the sensitivity of the tongue is lost and immobility appears; the neoplasm breaks up, resulting in a process of increased formation of saliva and halitosis.
- Cancer of the fourth degree is expressed by an enlarged tumor - about 4 centimeters. The neoplasm affects the entire surface of the tongue, including its lateral sides. After this, metastases appear that affect the lymph nodes, brain and bone tissue.
Among the pronounced symptoms of the last stage of the disease, it is necessary to highlight the following:
- numerous bleeding ulcers over the entire surface of the tongue;
- an increase in the size of neoplasms;
- severe pain that does not go away;
- loss of appetite and general condition resembles chronic fatigue;
- malaise;
- an inflammatory process occurs in all internal organs.
In the fourth stage of cancer of the tongue (photo shocking almost everyone), most often a person does not survive. However, the forecast is purely individual.
It all depends on how well and timely treatment is provided.
Causes of the disease
Among the many causes that can cause cancer of the tongue, oncologists identify external adverse factors, namely:
- Smoking for many years and drinking. If a person abuses these bad habits, then the likelihood of a malignant tumor increases significantly. It should be noted that alcohol significantly negatively enhances the effect of the tobacco mixture on the human body.
- Chronic trauma to the tongue. This phenomenon occurs due to established low-quality prostheses, as well as if the mucous layer of the tongue is constantly injured by a broken tooth or during regular biting of the tongue.
- Work with salts of heavy metals and oil products.
- The use of too hot dishes that burn the mucous membrane of the tongue, and the abuse of hot spices.
- Chronic inflammation of the oral cavity (stomatitis, gingivitis).
When several factors act on the human body, the likelihood of developing cancer of the tongue increases.
You should also specify a list of precancerous diseases, which also increase the risk of malignancy in the oral cavity:
- Bowen's disease is the appearance of a small spot on the tongue. The surface of the spot is rather smooth, erosion gradually appears in this place.
- Leukoplakia is expressed by the site of a constant inflammatory process, which in appearance resembles a whitish wart.
The likelihood of developing this disease with different locations of the lesion increases with age. Usually men from 40 to 60 suffer from this type of cancer.
Tongue Cancer: Symptoms
With careful attention to your own health, you must examine the oral cavity. Tongue cancer signs have the following:
- Discomfort at the site of the neoplasm is expressed by burning, numbness, tingling. If the tumor grows, then the patient feels cutting severe pain, which is given to the ear, lower jaw and temple.
- Bad breath appears, especially at the moment when the neoplasm takes the form of an ulcer.
- Violation of swallowing, the patient is uncomfortable to swallow food and saliva.
- Spoken language is changing.
- The lymph nodes under the jaw, behind the ears, are enlarged.
- The tongue bleeds and its mobility is impaired.
Often the initial stage of tongue cancer occurs with mild pain, which does not have a clear local place. Therefore, the patient can take these symptoms for the appearance of ordinary stomatitis, caries, or sore throat.
Treatment methods
A specific method of treatment is chosen by the doctor, guided by the location and type of tumor, as well as the stage of the disease.
It is very important timely medical, which will contribute to a speedy recovery.
Surgical method
Thanks to surgical intervention, the tumor can be completely removed until metastases spread throughout the body. The operation in this way is that part of the language is deleted. After a successful operation, the ability to speak returns to the patient. The stage of the disease directly affects the percentage of language removal. If the disease develops under the tongue, then the bottom of the oral cavity is removed.
Radiation therapy
This method of therapy worldwide is recognized as the most effective. The neoplasm undergoes the irradiation process in several sessions, after which the result is evaluated. If the tumor has only decreased in size, then repeated radiation therapy is usually performed. With cancer of the tongue of the initial stage, only part of the tongue (affected) is irradiated.
Chemotherapy
This method is used everywhere, despite the form of manifestations of cancer. Substances that reduce the growth of the tumor and destroy its tissues are introduced into the patient's body. Typically, this method of treatment is used if it is necessary to destroy metastases and tumor remnants.
Prevention
The process of treating cancer of the tongue is quite complicated. In order to avoid the development of such a terrible disease as cancer, it is necessary to take absolutely simple preventive measures:
- It is necessary to observe oral hygiene: regularly brush your teeth.
- It is forever to give up smoking tobacco products.
- Refuse alcoholic beverages. People who are addicted to smoking and alcohol are most likely to suffer from cancer of the tongue.
- Reduce time spent in the sun.
- According to research by the American Cancer Research Institute, garlic, grapes, tomatoes, cabbage and lettuce are good for the body. But everything fried must be excluded from the diet, giving preference to steamed food.
- Visit your dental office regularly. The dentist is not only responsible for dental treatment, but can also recognize the first symptomatic signs of tongue cancer.
- Lead a healthy lifestyle.
Do not ignore the first signs of the disease, if you identify them, you must immediately consult a doctor.
Remember that oncologists guarantee a favorable outcome only with the timely initiation of treatment for cancer of the tongue. Take care of yourself and remember that your health is in your hands!