What are the symptoms of tongue tumor

Tongue cancer is the most common type of oral cancer, and more males than females are affected. Most tongue cancers occur at the edge of the tongue, followed by the tip and root of the tongue, and are mainly ulcerative or infiltrative types. Tongue tumors are highly malignant and patients may experience difficulty speaking, eating and swallowing. Tongue cancer may progress to invade the tonsils, and in the late stages it may spread to the jawbone. People should pay attention to oral hygiene in daily life and brush their teeth every day.

1. Early symptoms of tongue cancer

1. Tumors mostly occur on the edge of the tongue, followed by the tip, back and belly of the tongue. There may be a history of local leukoplakia or chronic irritation factors, localized lip red accompanied by grayish white keratotic spots.

2. It is often ulcerative or infiltrative, grows fast, causes obvious pain, and is highly infiltrative.

3. There may be limited tongue movement, difficulty in eating and swallowing.

4. Tongue pain can sometimes be reflected to the temporal area or ear.

5. Cancerous ulcers may cause bleeding, invade the gums, and even cause the neck and jaw to swell and become hard.

6. Invade the floor of mouth and jawbone, and may penetrate the tongue and cheek.

7. Cervical lymph node metastasis often occurs in the early stage.

8. Sudden onset of increased salivation, drooling, bloody nasal discharge, choking sensation when swallowing, maxillofacial lumps and swollen lymph nodes, which persist and even gradually worsen.

8. Sudden loosening and falling of teeth, poor bite when chewing food, discomfort of dentures for those with dentures, numbness and pain in the mouth and pharynx. These early symptoms of tongue cancer do not improve after general symptomatic treatment.

9. Sudden onset of restricted tongue movement, slurred speech, pain when speaking and swallowing; localized thickening and scaling of the lip mucosa, accompanied by grayish-white keratotic plaques.

10. Mucosal erythema, edema, erosion, flat tongue lichen, protrusions and granular granulation tissue suddenly appear in the oral cavity. The subjective feeling is extremely insensitive, but after 2 to 4 weeks of treatment, these early symptoms of tongue cancer will not only not heal, but will slowly spread and grow.

2. Late symptoms of tongue cancer

The tongue is swollen and fills the mouth or has obvious ulcers, which are easy to bleed. The tongue cannot be retracted or extended, and it is difficult to open the mouth and eat. There is foul breath. There are lumps on the neck and under the jaw, or the tongue and cheeks are penetrated, and soup leaks out. The body is emaciated, and there is shortness of breath and fatigue. The spirit is exhausted. The tongue is pale with greasy coating, and the pulse is stringy, thin and rapid.

3. Causes of Tongue Cancer

The cause of the disease has not been fully understood yet. Most people believe that its occurrence is related to environmental factors. For example, heat, chronic injury, ultraviolet rays, X-rays and other radioactive substances can all become carcinogenic factors. For example, tongue and buccal mucosal cancer can occur in areas that are subject to long-term and frequent stimulation such as residual roots, sharp tooth tips, and poor restorations. In addition, neuropsychiatric factors, endocrine factors, the body's immune status and genetic factors have been found to be related to the occurrence of tongue cancer.

4. Tongue Cancer Treatment

Comprehensive treatment with surgery as the main approach generally requires primary disease resection and neck lymph node dissection, combined with radiotherapy or chemotherapy before or after surgery.