Definition

Tongue cancer is a subgroup of head and neck cancer. Cancer develops from the squamous cells of the tongue, forming a localized tumor. Cancer cells have the potential to grow and spread.

Tongue cancer is often grouped with other mouth cancers, such as cancer of the lips, hard palate, cheek lining, the portion of the mouth underneath the front of the tongue, or gums. These cancers are collectively known as oral cancer.

Causes

Cancer occurs when cells in the body divide without control or order. Eventually these uncontrolled cells form a growth or tumor. The term cancer refers to malignant growths. These growths can invade nearby tissues including the lymph nodes. Cancer that has invaded the lymph nodes can then spread to other parts of the body.

It is not clear exactly what causes these problems in the cells, but is probably a combination of genetics and environment. Changes may occur as a result of:

• Smoking cigarettes, cigars, or a pipe
• Use of chewing tobacco, snuff, or other tobacco products
• Heavy alcohol consumption

Risk Factors

Tongue cancer is more common in men, and in people aged 40 years and older. Other factors that may increase your chance of tongue cancer include:

• Poor oral and dental hygiene
• Irritation of the mucous membranes in the mouth due to smoking and drinking
• History of mouth ulcers
• Family history

Symptoms

Tongue cancer may cause:

• A lesion, lump, or ulcer on the tongue
• Difficulty swallowing
• Mouth sores and mouth pain
• Numbness or difficulty moving the tongue
• Change in speech due to inability to move the tongue over the teeth when speaking
• Pain when chewing and speaking
• Bleeding from the tongue

Diagnosis

Tongue cancer may be detected by your dentist during a routine dental cleaning, or by your doctor during a routine physical exam.

To confirm diagnosis, your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. This may include examining your tongue

for lumps or masses. A fiberoptic scope may be used.

• Your tongue tissue may need to be tested. This can be done with biopsy.
• Images may need to be taken. This can be done with:
  • CT scan
  • X-ray

The physical exam, combined with all of your test results, will help to determine the type and stage of cancer you have. Staging is used to guide your treatment plan. Like other cancers, tongue cancer is staged from I-IV. Stage I is a very localized cancer, while stage IV indicates a spread to other parts of the body

Treatment

Tongue cancer treatment depends on the stage of the cancer, and the size and location of the tumor.

Prevention

To help reduce your chance of tongue cancer:

• Don’t smoke or use tobacco products. If you do smoke or use tobacco products, talk to your doctor about how you can quit.
• Drink alcohol in moderation. Moderate drinking is a maximum of 2 drinks per day for men and a maximum of 1 drink per day for women.
• See your doctor regularly for check-ups and cancer screening exams.

National Cancer Institute http://www.cancer.gov

Canadian Cancer Society http://www.cancer.ca

Head and neck cancer—for patients. National Cancer Institute website. Available at:
http://www.cancer.gov/types/head-and-neck
Accessed April 30, 2013.

Tongue cancer. Cancer Research UK website. Available at:
http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cancers-in-general/cancer-questions/tongue-cancer
Accessed April 30, 2013.