Tongue Cancer Symptoms

According to the American Cancer Society there are more than 7,000 new cases of tongue cancer diagnosed each year across the country, which means that one in every 37,000 people residing in the U,S. will develop the disease. Approximately one in seven people who are diagnosed with tongue cancer will die from the disease. With early detection and treatment patients have an excellent chance for survival. Because of the importance of early detection, understanding the warning signs of tongue cancer is very important.

Types

• Tongue cancer is often referred to as mouth cancer. There are two types of tongue cancer when looking for the disease. The first type is called oral cavity cancer. This occurs when the cancer strikes the front half or two thirds of the tongue.

  The second type of tongue or mouth cancer strikes the back or base of the tongue. It is called oropharyngeal cancer. While there are two types of tongue cancer, the symptoms for each type are almost identical and are treated with the same protocol.

Patches

• The Cancer Treatment Centers of America list white and red patches in the mouth as one of the earliest and most common symptoms of tongue cancer. The white or red patch may be located on any area of the mouth including the lining, the roof or the tongue itself. The patch may also appear on the gums. The patch may be painful, though it is not always the case.

  White patches are the most common patches found on the tongue and they can sometimes progress to malignancy. Patches that combine red and white become cancerous more often than patches that are all white. Bright, flat red patches also tend to become malignant.

  Accidentally biting the inside of one's mouth, or burning it with hot food will also produce similar patches, but with cancer, the symptom will not disappear in a few days the way it will when the patch is cause by an injury.

Difficulty swallowing

• Another common symptom of tongue cancer is difficulty or pain while chewing or swallowing. While this can also be caused by a cold or strep throat, with cancer it does not go away and generally is not accompanied by additional factors such as fever or congestion.

Ears, nose, throat

• Less common symptoms of tongue cancer can include pain in either or both ears, a change in the deepness or hoarseness of the voice or a numbness in the mouth. In addition, any unusual bleeding or pain in the mouth can also indicate tongue cancer.

Potential

• It is important to see a doctor anytime you have symptoms of tongue cancer. Though several other, less serious medical conditions can produce tongue cancer symptoms, early detection of cancer gives you the best chance for complete recovery.