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What is Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Tongue?

Stephany Seipel
Stephany Seipel

Squamous cell carcinoma is one of the most common types of cancer of the tongue. The symptoms vary depending upon the location of the tumor and the stage of the disease. Medical professionals treat this cancer with radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery.

The symptoms of tongue cancer include a sore throat or pain when swallowing, a sore spot in the mouth that doesn't heal, or a discolored, reddish-pink or gray spot on the tongue that does not heal. Patients might also experience bleeding from the tongue or numbness of the mouth. Rarely, individuals might experience ear pain or changes in the voice. Patients who have advanced cancer might develop liver problems or anemia.

Chewing tobacco, which increases the risk of squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue.
Chewing tobacco, which increases the risk of squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue usually affects people over 50 years old, and men develop the disease at three times the rate of women. About 80% of all people who develop tongue cancer are smokers. Other risk factors include chewing tobacco or smokeless tobacco, heavy alcohol use, and chronic oral irritation from dental cavities or other problems in the mouth.

Most people who develop tongue cancer are smokers.
Most people who develop tongue cancer are smokers.

Medical professionals diagnose the disease by performing a biopsy of the area that is affected. They might also perform chest X-rays to look for cancer in the lungs or order a computed tomography (CT) scan of the neck and head to look for cancer in the lymph nodes. In a procedure called endoscopy, a healthcare professional inserts a tiny camera on a long, narrow tube into the body to screen for tumors or cancerous cells in the larynx, bronchial tubes, or esophagus.

Smokers are at a serious risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue.
Smokers are at a serious risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue.

Small tumors on the tongue can be surgically removed. Patients whose cancer has spread to the lymph nodes might require an additional surgical procedure called neck dissection. This procedure often results in the loss of one or both lymph nodes, but it lessens the possibility of the cancer returning. Patients might also be treated with radiation or chemotherapy.

Squamous cell carcinoma is a common type of tongue cancer.
Squamous cell carcinoma is a common type of tongue cancer.

The surgery for squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue is often disfiguring. Some patients choose to have reconstructive surgery after the tumor is removed. Tongue cancer patients sometimes have problems speaking, eating, or swallowing after their operation.

The prognosis for survival varies depending upon the patient. Those whose cancer is diagnosed early have about a 70% chance of remaining cancer-free for five years after treatment. The odds drop to about 30% for individuals who are diagnosed in later stages of the disease. Patients whose cancer has spread to the lymph nodes or lungs by the time of diagnosis typically have less than a 50% chance of survival.

Discussion Comments

fBoyle

Has anyone here had tongue reconstruction surgery after squamous cell cancer surgery for the tongue?

I will be having surgery to remove cancer from my tongue in a few weeks. The doctor said that I will have a banana shaped tongue after surgery but I can get reconstruction surgery later if I want.

How effective is reconstruction surgery? Will my new tongue be as good as the old one?

burcinc

@fify-- As far as I know, doctors don't know the exact cause of squamous cell carcinoma on the tongue. The most they can do is identify risk factors, and smoking-- including second-hand smoke-- is a risk factor.

But there are many other risk factors out there, such as a previous HPV infection, exposure to chemicals or cancer causing agents through air, water or food. The possible causes go on and on.

I think that the important thing is identifying as many of these risks as possible after diagnosis of cancer and avoiding them. Quitting smoking and drinking, being very careful about safe sex will help recovery from tongue cancer and it will reduce the likelihood of cancer developing again.

This doesn't mean that someone who doesn't have most of these risk factors will not get tongue cancer. People who don't drink and smoke get cancer all the time. My aunt is one of those people.

fify

I know most people who get tongue cancer are smokers. But why do the rest of the people get it?

Is t possible for second-hand smokers to get tongue cancer or other cancers of the mouth?

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    • Chewing tobacco, which increases the risk of squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue.
      By: gemenacom
      Chewing tobacco, which increases the risk of squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue.
    • Most people who develop tongue cancer are smokers.
      By: nito
      Most people who develop tongue cancer are smokers.
    • Smokers are at a serious risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue.
      By: banglds
      Smokers are at a serious risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue.
    • Squamous cell carcinoma is a common type of tongue cancer.
      By: ArenaCreative
      Squamous cell carcinoma is a common type of tongue cancer.