The earlier you are diagnosed, the better your chance of survival. However, it is imperative to see a doctor as soon as you notice any symptoms. In the early stages, tongue cancer can be misdiagnosed as dental abscesses or oral herpes. A CT scan or MRI will identify the tumor.
If you are diagnosed with tongue cancer, your doctor may perform a surgical procedure called a tongue-preserving device, or END, to remove the tongue. Depending on its stage, this procedure is most effective when the tumor is small and has not spread to the other parts of the body. In advanced stages, however, it can be extremely difficult to remove the entire tongue, so your surgeon will likely have to remove a portion of your neck or oral cavity. You may also need additional treatment, such as chemotherapy, to get rid of the remaining cancer cells.
After receiving an anesthetic, your doctor will perform a biopsy of the cancer tissue. An endoscopy is another way to determine whether you have tongue cancer. Endoscopy uses a thin tube to examine the tongue. This procedure allows your doctor to visually determine if the cancer has spread to the throat. Imaging tests are also available to determine if the cancer has spread to other areas of your body. X-rays and CT scans can detect cancer in deeper tissues. PET imaging is an alternative that can detect the cancer in the thyroid and regional lymph nodes.
Toxins are a known risk factor for head and neck cancer. Tobacco use includes smoking, chewing tobacco, and snuff. Tobacco use is directly linked to an increased risk of developing head and neck cancer. Exposure to secondhand smoke can also increase the risk. If you suspect tongue cancer, make sure to consult your doctor as soon as possible. It is important to understand that tongue cancer may present symptoms without other forms of cancer in the mouth.
Researchers have recently identified a protein called ZEB1 that regulates the expression of CA9. This protein is associated with poor prognosis and poor response to chemotherapy. The research team hopes to better understand the role of this protein in tongue cancer as a biomarker for treatment response. In the meantime, the discovery may lead to new therapeutic approaches. These therapies may reduce the risk of drug resistance and increase treatment efficacy. This study is the first to demonstrate the importance of knowing how cancer cells regulate the pH of their cells.
Symptoms of tongue cancer are different for each type of cancer. For example, oral cancer begins on the outer side of the tongue, while oropharyngeal cancer starts in the base of the tongue. A physician may recommend surgery to remove the tumour before it spreads to other parts of the mouth. This type of cancer has no cure and is not life-threatening, but it does not come without a diagnosis. However, treatment must be initiated quickly to prevent further damage.
