Therefore, it is important to visit your healthcare provider as soon as you notice any changes in your tongue. However, there are still a few things you can do to minimize the chance of developing this disease. Read on to learn more about the signs and symptoms of tongue cancer. If you’re diagnosed with tongue cancer, here are some tips to help you get the diagnosis and treatment.
A biopsy is the first step toward diagnosis of tongue cancer. A small needle is inserted into the tongue to remove a sample of tissue. The procedure is typically done under local anesthesia, but larger areas of tissue may require general anesthesia. The sample is then sent to a lab for analysis. Cancer cells in the tongue normally develop in squamous cells, which are the thin, flat cells that cover the surface of the tongue. A surgeon may perform a resection surgery to remove the entire tumor. Surgery may also involve minimally invasive techniques.
Early detection is critical when it comes to treating any form of cancer. If you notice any of the symptoms of tongue cancer, it is best to make an appointment with a dental care provider right away. Your dentist can perform a physical examination and may order a biopsy. This biopsy procedure involves taking a sample of tissue from the suspected tongue cancer area and sending it to a pathologist for analysis. When a diagnosis is confirmed, the next step is choosing an appropriate treatment for your condition.
If you notice a white or red lesion on your tongue, you should visit your doctor immediately. An erythroplakia is more likely to be cancerous than a leukoplakia. Any of these white or red lesions that don’t heal should be examined by a physician. If detected early, tongue cancer is highly curable but can become life-threatening if left untreated. The best way to get an early diagnosis is to see a physician.
Treatment for tongue cancer is often combined with other medical treatments. Radiation therapy can help to target cancerous tissues in the tongue while sparing surrounding tissue. Chemotherapy is another option for patients who have cancer of the tongue that has spread to nearby lymph nodes. During chemotherapy, cancer cells may be treated with multiple drugs to reduce the chances of them developing resistance to the drugs. Targeted drug therapy can target cancer cells on a molecular level and may also be used to treat tongue cancer.
Tongue cancer symptoms include pain, sore throat, and a grayish pink to red lump on the side of the tongue. The tongue can also bleed easily when bitten or touched. The early stages of tongue cancer can be difficult to detect because symptoms are usually mild. Later, you may experience pain, fullness, or ear pain. However, the symptoms of tongue cancer may not occur until it has spread to other parts of the body.
