Tongue Cancer Treatments

Tongue cancer is marked by the uncontrolled growth and division of the cells lining the tongue along with the oropharynx (a tiny portion of the throat situated at the rear side of the mouth). Tongue cancer is generally included under the broad umbrella of "mouth cancers" and is hence often also referred to as oral cancer. As per a report submitted by the National Cancer Institute, close to 10,000 new cases of tongue cancer are detected and diagnosed each year in the United States, and nearly 2,000 patients die. Excessive usage of tobacco is one of the chief factors resulting in tongue cancer, accounting for 75 to 80 percent of all cases.

Treatments

• Similar to most of the other forms of cancer, no treatment technique is yet available that can completely cure the condition. However, doctors use surgery, radiotherapy and chemoembolization to control the growth and spread of the cancer. Surgery involves removal of the damaged and affected portion of the tongue to restrict the metastasis of the cancer cells. In severe cases glossectomy (removal of the entire tongue) is called for.

  In patients having a danger of cancer redevelopment, chemoembolization and radiotherapy are recommended by the doctors. Chemoembolization involves injection of anticancer drugs such as interleukin-2 (IL-2) in order to kill the malignant cancer cells. The affected regions of the tongue can also be exposed to X-rays and other high-power light beams to destroy the cancer cells.

Success Rate

• Success rates of the various treatments used to control tongue cancer vary, depending on the stage of the cancer and the internal metastasis of the cancer cells. However, National Cancer Institute reports that the 5-year survival rates between 1996 and 2005 was nearly 60 percent.

Time Frame

• Despite the fact that the time frame of treatment techniques vary from patient to patient, generally patients are subjected to radiotherapy three to four times a week for nearly two months. Chemoembolization is administered for close to five to six months, with small rest periods for recuperating in between.

Side Effects

• Side effects related with glossectomy and other surgical procedures include problems with speech, drinking and eating. While side effects associated with chemoembolization and radiotherapy include hair loss, loss of appetite, extreme tiredness, nausea and dryness of the tongue among others.

Prevention/Solution

• General preventive steps taken against tongue cancer include cessation of smoking, reducing or avoiding the intake of alcohol, among others.