What is tongue cancer?

4 May 2021

It is an oncological condition in which the squamous cells that cover the surface of the tongue are affected and begin to multiply uncontrollably.

It is also known as oral cancer, and is related to the human papillomavirus, and can also manifest in the mouth or throat.

Men over 50 years old have the highest incidence of tongue cancer.

Certain factors can increase the risk of developing tongue cancer, such as:

Family history of tongue or mouth cancer.
Depressed immune system.
Smoking.
Gastroesophageal reflux.
Human papillomavirus.
Toxic chemicals.
Having had another type of squamous cell cancer.
Excessive alcohol consumption.
Diet low in fiber and vegetables.
Poor oral hygiene.

The most common type of tongue cancer is squamous cell carcinoma, it is classified by the degree of progress and if it has metastasized, that is, if it has spread to other areas of the body.

Signs and symptoms Tongue cancer

The characteristic symptoms consist of:

Appearance of a persistent sore on the tongue.
Sore jaw or throat.
Neck or ear pain.
Oral numbness.
Presence of a whitish or reddish stain.
Discomfort when swallowing.
Loosening of teeth.
Trouble swallowing or chewing food.
Stiffness in the tongue or jaw.
Tongue bleeding.
Apparent lump in the throat.
Tongue ulcer that does not heal.

Diagnosis and treatment Tongue cancer

Once your doctor analyzes your symptoms and clinical history, they will perform a physical examination and request the following tests to make an accurate diagnosis:

Blood test.
Complete study of the tongue to detect masses or lumps.
Imaging studies:
X-rays.
MRI.
Computed tomography.
Tongue biopsy.

The appropriate treatment for you is established according to the size and location of the cancer, but the purpose is to eliminate the diseased cells. The most used therapies are:

Chemotherapy.
Radiotherapy.
Surgery.

The treatment may affect your ability to eat and speak, so a team of specialists and therapists will be able to help you regain your abilities as much as possible.

Since its opening in 2009, our Cancer Center offers chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments at the level of the best medical centers in the world through a comprehensive care model for cancer patients.

Related centers and departments Tongue cancer

Cancer Center
High Specialty Surgery Center
Radiology and Molecular Imaging
Clinical Laboratory

Fuentes:

cancer.org
cancer.net
cancer.gov
mayoclinic.org
medlineplus.gov
medigraphic.com
Pérez HA, Carmona FE, Velazquez MA. Morbilidad del carcinoma epidermoide de lengua en Pinar del Río, 2000-2016. Rev Ciencias Médicas. 2016;20(6):690-697.
Colmenares BBE, Gallegos HJF, Hernández HDM, et al. ¿Es necesaria la disección radical de cuello en pacientes con cáncer invasor de lengua, sin ganglios palpables?. Cir Gen. 2004;26(3):173-176.
Fuentes YC, Alvarado SR, Aldape BBC. Carcinoma epidermoide de lengua con diagnóstico tardío. Presentación de un caso clínico. Rev Mex Cir Bucal Maxilofac. 2009;5(2):79-82.
Cruz SV, Mestre CJR, Cruz SL, et al. Impacto de la invasión perineural en pacientes con cáncer de lengua tratados en el Instituto Nacional de Oncología y Radiobiología. Mul Med. 2021;225(1):.

How can we help you?

The dissemination of the content of this material is for informational purposes only and does not replace, under any circumstance or condition, a consultation with a specialist doctor, for which the Saludora Medical Center is not responsible for the different use that may be given to it. If you require more information related to the subject, we suggest you contact the specialist doctor you trust directly.

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Comparison of COVID-19 vaccines

Pfizer-
BioNTech

Pfizer-BioNTech

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Vaccine type: mRNA
Effectiveness: 95% after the second dose in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.

No Does not contain egg, latex, or preservatives.

How many doses are needed?
Two doses are needed, at least 21 days apart (or up to six weeks apart, if necessary).

Who should or shouldn’t get the vaccine?
People who should receive the vaccine are those over 16 years old.
People who should not receive the vaccine are those who have a history of anaphylactic shock (severe allergy) or who are allergic to any component of this vaccine such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) or polysorbate.

What are the possible side effects of the vaccine?
Pain where the injection was given, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, chills, joint pain, fever, nausea, malaise, and swollen lymph nodes.

How long will it take for me to be protected and what does it protect me from?
After 14 days of having the complete scheme (after the administration of the 2nd dose), the protection period is still under study. It protects us from serious COVID-19 or requiring hospitalization.

Moderna

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Vaccine type: mRNA
Effectiveness: 94.5% after the second dose in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.

Does not contain egg, latex, or preservatives.

How many doses are needed?
Two doses are needed, at least 28 days apart (or up to six weeks apart, if necessary).

Who should or shouldn’t get the vaccine?
People who should receive the vaccine are those over 18 years old.
People who should not receive the vaccine are those who have a history of anaphylactic shock (severe allergy) or who are allergic to any component of this vaccine.

What are the possible side effects of the vaccine?
Pain where the injection was given, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, chills, joint pain, fever, nausea, and swollen lymph nodes in the arm in which you received the injection.

Janssen/
Johnson
& Johnson

Janssen/ Johnson & Johnson

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Vector-based vaccine.
Effectiveness: 72.0% in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.
85% in the prevention of severe COVID-19.

Does not contain egg, latex, or preservatives./strong>

How many doses are needed?
Only one dose in needed.

What are the possible side effects of the vaccine?
Pain where the injection was given, headache, fatigue, muscle pain, chills, fever, and nausea.

How long will it take for me to be protected and what does it protect me from?
After 28 days of having the complete scheme (the last dose applied), the protection period is still under study. It protects us from 85% serious COVID-19 or requiring hospitalization.

AstraZeneca
and
Oxford
University

AstraZeneca and Oxford University

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Adenovirus vector-based vaccine.
Effectiveness: 82% after the second dose in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.

How many doses are needed?
Two doses are needed, at least 56 days apart (or up to 84 days apart, if necessary).

What are the possible side effects of the vaccine?
Pain where the injection was given, fatigue, headache, myalgia, arthralgia, and fever, which were mild to moderate in intensity and disappeared within 48 hours of vaccination.

Sputnik V

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Adenovirus vector-based vaccine.
Effectiveness: 92% after the second dose in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.

How many doses are needed?
Two doses are needed, at least 21 days apart (or up to six weeks apart, if necessary).

What is tongue cancer?

Signs and symptoms Tongue cancer

Diagnosis and treatment Tongue cancer

Related centers and departments Tongue cancer

Fuentes:

Index

Specialist in Tongue cancer