A doctor spoke about the causes of tongue cancer

Tongue cancer is a malignant growth that develops from the cells of the epithelium covering the surface of the tongue. Although this type of cancer is not very common, its aggressiveness and ability to metastasize rapidly make it a serious threat. Tongue cancer can occur in different parts of the organ: at its root, body, as well as on the lower and lateral surfaces, Ruslan Basanov, MD, medical oncologist at JSC Medicine's Academician Roitberg Clinic, told Izvestia on February 4.

"Symptoms of tongue cancer in the early stages often go unnoticed, as the tumor may not hurt or interfere with the normal functioning of the tongue. Initially, small spots or growths may appear, which are often mistaken for normal plaque or minor changes," Basanov said.

As the disease progresses, he said, ulcers appear that take a long time to heal and lymph nodes in the neck become enlarged. The patient may experience discomfort, feel numbness in the tongue, and pain that may travel to the throat or ear.

"The causes of tongue cancer can vary and include smoking, alcohol abuse, and mechanical damage to the tongue such as trauma caused by poorly fitting dentures or sharp edges of teeth. Chronic inflammation and precancerous diseases, such as leukoplakia or papillomavirus infection, also increase the likelihood of a tumor," Basanov said.

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According to the specialist, the treatment of tongue cancer depends on the stage of the disease. At the initial stages, it is enough to remove the tumor and the affected lymph nodes. At later stages, a combination of surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy is used to fight the disease to shrink the tumor before surgery or destroy the remaining cancer cells after it. In the case of metastasis, more specialized techniques may be used, such as targeted therapy, which blocks certain molecules that promote tumor growth.

It is also important to see a specialist as soon as possible in order to get a diagnosis. In the first stages, tongue cancer can be diagnosed only through an examination and additional tests such as biopsy, X-ray, ultrasound or CT scan. These tests help to determine exactly how deeply the tumor has penetrated the tissue and whether there are metastases to other organs.

"The prognosis for treatment depends largely on the stage at which the cancer is diagnosed. The earlier it is detected, the higher the chance of full recovery. Prevention consists in regular check-ups with a dentist, refusal of smoking and alcohol, as well as careful attention to the state of the oral cavity and dental health," summarized Basanov.

Earlier, on January 31, Ildus Mukhametov, a surgeon at SM-Clinica, told Izvestia about the causes of basal cell skin cancer. According to him, the tumor develops in the deepest basal layer of the epidermis. In a normal state, basal cells play an important role in the processes of skin renewal. But in some situations, instead of regenerative function, such cells can mutate and degenerate into cancer. Externally, basalioma looks like a small flat spot or a convex growth of different colors (from pink to brown), resembling an ordinary mole.