Squamous cells are thin, flat cells that are present on the surface of the skin and the tongue, in the lining of the digestive and respiratory tracts, and in the lining of the mouth, throat, thyroid, and larynx. The primary symptoms of tongue cancer are a painful tongue and the development of a sore on the tongue. Additional symptoms may include:. The symptoms of tongue cancer are similar to those of other oral cancers, and they may also not be evident in the early stages of the disease.
It is also possible for people to have some of these symptoms without having tongue cancer or another type of oral cancer. Doctors classify most cancer types into stages according to how much cancer is present and whether or not it has spread, or metastasized, to other parts of the body.
The classification system uses letters and numbers. The letter T indicates a tumor , and the letter N refers to neck lymph nodes. These letters each have a grading from 1—4 or 0—3 respectively. People with a T1 tumor have the smallest grade of tumor, while people with a T4 tumor have the largest grade. An N0 classification signifies that the tongue cancer has not spread to any neck lymph nodes.
Tongue cancer that has spread to a significant number of lymph nodes has an N3 classification. This grading denotes how aggressively the cancer is growing and how likely it is to spread to other parts of the body. Experts do not fully understand why some people get tongue cancer. Older men are the group most at risk of tongue cancer. Oral cancers are most common in those aged 50 or above. Smokers who also drink heavily are 15 times more likely to develop oral cancers than other people.
Anyone who is concerned that they might have tongue cancer should make an appointment with a doctor as soon as possible. If a doctor suspects that tongue cancer is present, they will perform a biopsy. This will involve them removing some tissue and sending it off for testing.
Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Tongue cancer is a form of cancer that begins in the cells of the tongue. Email address. First Name let us know your preferred name. Last Name. Thank you for subscribing Your in-depth coping with cancer guide will be in your inbox shortly. Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry.
Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references AskMayoExpert. Key points People can get cancer in the oral tongue — the part you can stick out — and the base of the tongue, which extends down the throat. The cancer is more common in people 40 and older. Tongue cancer can be treated with surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Next steps Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your healthcare provider: Know the reason for your visit and what you want to happen.
Before your visit, write down questions you want answered. Bring someone with you to help you ask questions and remember what your provider tells you. At the visit, write down the name of a new diagnosis, and any new medicines, treatments, or tests. Also write down any new instructions your provider gives you. Know why a new medicine or treatment is prescribed, and how it will help you. Also know what the side effects are. Ask if your condition can be treated in other ways. Know why a test or procedure is recommended and what the results could mean.
Know what to expect if you do not take the medicine or have the test or procedure. If you have a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose for that visit.
Know how you can contact your provider if you have questions. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.
Not what you're looking for? Want More Information? Cedars-Sinai has a range of comprehensive treatment options. See Our Cancer Programs. Choose a doctor and schedule an appointment. Cancers that develop in this part are called oropharyngeal cancers pronounced oar-o-farin-gee-al. The most common type of tongue cancer is squamous cell carcinoma SCC.
Squamous cells are the flat, skin like cells that cover the lining of the mouth, nose, larynx, thyroid and throat. Squamous cell carcinoma is the name for a cancer that starts in these cells. It's important to remember that these symptoms might be due to a less serious medical condition.
But it's best to check symptoms with your GP just to make sure. The photos below give you an idea of what tongue cancers can look like, but remember that they might appear differently from this.
Contact your GP or dentist if you notice anything abnormal. Smoking tobacco cigarettes, cigars and pipes and drinking a lot of alcohol are the main risk factors for cancers of the head and neck in the western world. The HPV virus transmitted through sexual contact is another risk factor. Having a risk factors means that your risk is increased. But it does not mean that you will definitely develop cancer.
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