Although the rate of recurrence may differ in each patient, these statistics are based on the general population and do not provide a reliable prediction for the outcome of an individual. For specific rates for your state, you can refer to the SEER*Explorer or the State Cancer Profiles. However, it is important to know that these statistics do not include deaths.
If you suspect that you might have tongue cancer, you should visit a doctor immediately. A doctor will perform a biopsy on a small piece of tissue and then send it for further testing. Alternatively, your doctor may recommend that you undergo a CT scan to determine if cancer has spread to other parts of your body. As with any cancer, the earlier it is detected, the better your outlook is. Your chances of survival are significantly increased when diagnosed early.
Early detection of tongue cancer is vital to a patient’s survival. The 5-year disease-specific survival rate of patients diagnosed with early-stage oral tongue cancer in the SEER registry was 60.2% in 2007, compared with 75% to 89% for patients diagnosed at a later stage. However, patients with advanced disease often develop difficulty eating and speaking. Consequently, patients with advanced cancer are at greater risk for invasive treatment. As such, early diagnosis and early treatment are crucial for the best chance of survival.
Although early detection of tongue cancer is crucial, the early stages of the disease are often missed. Regular examinations with a dentist and doctor are important for early detection. A common form of tongue cancer is squamous cell carcinoma. Squamous cells are thin, flat cells that line the lining of the respiratory tract, the digestive tract, and the tongue. Studies have shown that people who drink heavily are at increased risk of developing this type of cancer.
HPV is a virus and is unlikely to play a major role in oral tongue cancer. Detection of HPV in HPV-related oral cancer was reported at 1 out of 51 cases in one series and 1.96% in another. A number of patients were NS/ND (no detection) for seven consecutive times. Despite the lack of conclusive evidence, HPV is associated with a higher risk of developing tongue cancer in HPV-infected patients.
Although tongue cancer can be difficult to diagnose, it can present symptoms without oral cancer. Most types of cancer are graded according to their extent of spread and how much it has spread throughout the body. The most common stages of disease are T1 and T4 and are classified by letters or numbers. The letters T and N indicate the presence of a tumor or lymph nodes in the neck. Each grade represents a grading scale of 0-3, with T1 being the most severe.
The incidence of tongue cancer varies from region to region, but it is rare under the age of 40. There are two types of cancer affecting the tongue – oral cancer and oropharyngeal cancer. If your cancer is diagnosed in its early stages, you have a high chance of surviving it. You should seek medical attention immediately if you notice any of these symptoms. While it may be difficult to detect any early symptoms of tongue cancer, the treatment options will depend on the stage of the disease and the type of malignancy.
