Tongue cancer is uncommon, but it’s worth being alert to the signs. If caught and treated early, it can almost always be cured. However, as this type of cancer is often asymptomatic, it’s not always easy to spot. Without routine inspection, early signs may go undetected and result in more advanced disease at diagnosis. Early detection is therefore key. It can occur anywhere on the tongue – or even the frenulum (the tissue under your tongue that connects it to the floor of your mouth). The roof of the mouth (called the soft palate), and the tip of the tongue are common sites for secondary tumours arising from another location on the tongue. Look out for symptoms of tongue cancer.
Who is this article for?
This article is for patients who have a tongue ulcer, red patch, white patch, lump, burning, bleeding, numbness, pain while swallowing, or a tongue wound that does not heal. It is especially important for patients with tobacco, gutkha, supari, paan, smoking, alcohol use, sharp teeth, or ill-fitting dentures. Early tongue cancer may not always be painful, so visual inspection and early dental evaluation are important.
What early tongue cancer may look like
Early tongue cancer may appear as a non-healing ulcer, red patch, white patch, hard lump, rough area, thickened patch, bleeding area, or change in tongue movement. It may occur on the side of the tongue, under the tongue, or near the base of the tongue. These symptoms can also happen due to non-cancer causes, but if they last more than two weeks, they should be examined. Mayo Clinic lists non-healing mouth sores, white or reddish patches, lumps, mouth pain, ear pain and difficulty swallowing or chewing among possible mouth cancer symptoms.
Pain is not always the first symptom
Many patients wait for severe pain before visiting a dentist, but early oral cancer may be painless. A persistent ulcer, rough patch, unexplained bleeding, numbness, or a lump should be checked even if it does not hurt. Early diagnosis gives better treatment options and improves the chance of successful management.
Squamous cell carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most common type of tongue cancer. It’s also one of the easiest to diagnose and treat – making early diagnosis crucial. The vast majority of SCCs occur in people with a history of heavy smoking. However, there’s also a link between this type of cancer, and the HPV virus. The cancer forms as a hard, white nodule on the tongue’s surface. It may also cause the tongue to swell. SCC can also affect the roof of the mouth, and the root of the tongue. Do go for dental checkups as it can help you identify symptoms of tongue cancer.
Basal cell carcinoma
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) occurs in around a quarter of tongue cancers. It usually appears as a tiny, shiny, translucent ‘strawberry-like bump. BCC often occurs in people who have had excessive sun exposure to the face and neck. This type of cancer may also occur in other areas of the mouth, particularly the gums, where it can look more like a reddened patch. BCC tends to be slow-growing and sometimes, can be treated with topical creams. However, it’s also known to be locally invasive, meaning it can spread to other areas of the mouth or face.
Melanoma of the tongue
This is a very rare form of tongue cancer, which is often misdiagnosed as SCC. It’s linked to excessive sun exposure, but is uncommon in non-Caucasian populations. Melanoma can be very difficult to spot because it can appear as a normal-looking lesion on the tongue – before progressing to a more obvious growth. The most common warning sign is that the lesion doesn’t go away, or recurs after surgery.
Other Oral Cancer symptoms to be aware of
If the cancer is in an early, superficial stage, it may not cause any symptoms. However, if it progresses, it can cause a range of problems. These include:
- Pain in the mouth, particularly when eating or drinking hot liquids
- Swelling of the tongue
- Any lumps or ulcerations in the mouth that don’t heal after a few weeks
- Migratory lumps or ulcerations in the mouth
- A change in the texture of the tongue
- A change in the taste of the saliva
Conclusion
Tongue cancer is a very treatable condition, provided it’s spotted early enough. It’s therefore crucial to be aware of the warning signs, and to visit your dentist or doctor if you notice anything unusual. It’s also worth asking your dentist if they can visually inspect your tongue during your regular cleanings, as they may be able to spot any abnormalities earlier. Look out for symptoms of tongue cancer.
FAQs
Can early tongue cancer look like a normal ulcer?
Yes, early tongue cancer can sometimes look like a simple ulcer or patch. The difference is that a normal traumatic ulcer usually heals, while a suspicious lesion may persist, become hard, bleed, or keep returning.
When should I get a tongue lesion checked?
Get it checked if it lasts more than two weeks, bleeds, becomes hard, causes numbness, appears as a red or white patch, or occurs in a patient with tobacco, supari, alcohol, or sharp tooth irritation.
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Medical Disclaimer
This article is for patient education only. Dental treatment should be planned after clinical examination, medical history review, and X-rays or scans where required. Treatment suitability, cost, timeline, healing, and results vary from patient to patient.
