Causes and symptoms of early tongue cancer

The causes of early tongue cancer include genetics, environmental factors such as long-term smoking and drinking, and chronic stimulation such as uneven teeth wear. The main symptoms are non-healing tongue ulcers, nodules or abnormal pain on the tongue. If suspected symptoms are found, medical examination and treatment should be sought as soon as possible.

1. Causes of early tongue cancer

1. Genetic factors: Some tongue cancer patients may have cases of oral cancer in their family, so there is a certain genetic tendency.

2 Environmental factors: Long-term smoking and drinking are important external risks for tongue cancer. Overheated food or irritating food such as pickled food can damage the tongue mucosa, which may lead to cancer over time. Poor oral hygiene can also increase the risk of cancer.

3. Chronic irritation: Long-term repeated irritation, such as uneven teeth, ill-fitting dentures or frequent tongue biting, may lead to chronic inflammation of the tongue. If the inflammation is not improved for a long time, it will induce tissue malignancy.

4. Decreased immunity: The failure of the immune system to effectively eliminate mutated cells is one of the key reasons for the early development of tongue cancer. Some patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes and AIDS are more likely to develop tongue cancer due to weak immunity.

How to deal with it: Avoid long-term smoking, excessive drinking, and eating hot and irritating foods. If you find long-term oral damage, you should repair it in time. Maintain good oral hygiene and have regular physical examinations, especially those with a family history of cancer should be vigilant.

2. Symptoms of early tongue cancer

1. Tongue ulcer: If the ulcer does not heal for more than two weeks or reappears, and conventional medications are ineffective, it needs to be taken seriously.

2 Nodules or lumps on the tongue: Irregular nodules on the tongue that are hard and painful to the touch may be a sign of cancer.

3. Pain or numbness: Early stage tongue cancer may only present as mild persistent pain and abnormal numbness in the tongue, which can be easily confused with general tongue trauma symptoms.

4 Bad breath or swallowing problems: Cancerous tongue tissue can cause abnormal oral secretions, resulting in unpleasant odors, or the swallowing function may be affected by tumor growth.

What to do: Once you find the above symptoms, whether or not they are accompanied by worsening changes, you should go to the dentistry or oncology department for examination as soon as possible. Routine examination items include tissue biopsy, CT scan or MRI to confirm the nature of the lesion.

To protect the health of the tongue, we must start by avoiding long-term bad habits and repairing chronic damage in a timely manner. Once the symptoms of early tongue cancer appear, the only way is to have a professional examination without hesitation. Early detection and active treatment have a better prognosis.