Early symptoms of tongue cancer

Written by Yan Chun
Oncology
Updated on September 15, 2024
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The early symptoms of tongue cancer patients are mainly manifested as ulcerous lesions on the surface of the tongue, which relapse frequently. The effectiveness of common anti-inflammatory drugs and ulcer treatments is poor. The edges of these ulcerative lesions are rough and the bottom is unclean, often accompanied by abnormal secretions. When infected, the area may exhibit bleeding, pain, and other symptoms. Additionally, some early-stage patients may develop nodular lesions on the surface of the tongue. These nodules have irregular edges and tend to adhere to the surrounding tongue tissues. They are relatively hard, and their surfaces are prone to friction, bleeding, and even exhibit signs of inflammation such as redness and swelling.

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Written by Wang Ji Zhong
Internal Medicine
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Treatment methods for tongue cancer

Tongue cancer poses a significant threat to human life, and since it can spread to the lymph nodes in the neck, it is crucial to detect and treat it early. The early symptoms of tongue cancer are not very noticeable, and many do not attract attention, such as initial tongue pain, ulcers, erosion, and lumps. For treatment, individualized approaches should be adopted depending on the condition of the disease. If it is an early-stage primary lesion, simple local surgical excision can be done, as well as chemotherapy and cryotherapy. In advanced stages, a comprehensive treatment approach should be adopted, combining surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, with neck lymph node dissection necessary for metastatic cases.

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Written by Peng Ting
Dentistry
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What are the differences between tongue ulcers and tongue cancer?

The main difference between tongue ulcers and tongue cancer is whether the ulceration on the tongue can heal or not. Tongue ulcers tend to recur and each outbreak may occur at a different site. They have a self-healing nature and usually heal on their own within two weeks. Most are soft in texture and the diameter of the ulcer surface is less than 0.5 centimeters. If a tongue ulcer does not heal after more than two weeks, it should be highly suspect and suggests the possibility of cancerous changes. Tongue cancer is characterized by a harder texture and larger ulcer diameter, several centimeters or more, typically with a cauliflower-like appearance, a surface covered in filthy pseudomembrane, severe pain, and restricted tongue movement.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Yan Chun
Oncology
49sec home-news-image

Early symptoms of tongue cancer

The early symptoms of tongue cancer patients are mainly manifested as ulcerous lesions on the surface of the tongue, which relapse frequently. The effectiveness of common anti-inflammatory drugs and ulcer treatments is poor. The edges of these ulcerative lesions are rough and the bottom is unclean, often accompanied by abnormal secretions. When infected, the area may exhibit bleeding, pain, and other symptoms. Additionally, some early-stage patients may develop nodular lesions on the surface of the tongue. These nodules have irregular edges and tend to adhere to the surrounding tongue tissues. They are relatively hard, and their surfaces are prone to friction, bleeding, and even exhibit signs of inflammation such as redness and swelling.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wang Ji Zhong
Internal Medicine
44sec home-news-image

How is tongue cancer treated?

Tongue cancer can occur in patients with chronic long-term glossitis. Initial symptoms are not obvious. When a neoplasm is discovered on the tongue, it is important to seek medical attention early, as early detection is crucial. Otherwise, the best opportunity for treatment may be lost. Early detection of tongue cancer should lead to surgical removal of the tumor focus. Surgery is the main method of treatment for tongue cancer. Since there may be lymph node metastasis, it is also necessary to clean the cervical lymph nodes during surgery. Additionally, the choice of radiotherapy and chemotherapy should be based on the clinical presentation of the tongue cancer to achieve effective treatment results.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Peng Ting
Dentistry
45sec home-news-image

The difference between tongue cancer and tongue ulcers

The main difference between tongue cancer and tongue ulcers is whether the ulcerative surface on the tongue can heal or not. Tongue ulcers tend to recur and the location of each occurrence may be different, generally healing on their own within two weeks. Most are soft in texture with the diameter of the ulcer surface being less than 0.5 centimeters. If a tongue ulcer does not heal after more than two weeks, it should raise significant concern, indicating a possible malignant transformation. Tongue cancer tends to have a harder texture, larger ulcer diameter of several centimeters. Typically, it appears cauliflower-shaped, with a surface covered by a dirty pseudo-membrane, severe pain, and restricted tongue movement.