How to tell if you have tongue cancer

You can determine whether you have tongue cancer by observing changes in the oral cavity, paying attention to pain and discomfort, checking functional disorders, paying attention to lumps in the neck, and paying attention to systemic symptoms. It is recommended to go to the hospital for a clear diagnosis through relevant examinations, and then follow the doctor's advice for targeted treatment.

1. Observe oral changes: Pay attention to whether there are persistent ulcers, lumps or abnormal growths on the tongue. These changes may appear as lumps, pain, bleeding or ulcers that are difficult to heal.

2. Pay attention to pain and discomfort: Tongue cancer may cause local pain or discomfort, which may gradually worsen and may spread to the ears or jaw.

3. Check for functional impairment: Tongue cancer may affect the motor function of the tongue, causing difficulty in speaking, swallowing or chewing. If these functional impairments persist, seek medical attention immediately.

4. Pay attention to lumps in the neck: Tongue cancer may metastasize to the lymph nodes in the neck, causing painless lumps in the neck. If you find an abnormal lump in the neck, you should be alert.

5. Pay attention to systemic symptoms: Although tongue cancer mainly affects the oral area, advanced tongue cancer may cause systemic symptoms such as weight loss, fatigue, fever, etc. If these symptoms occur, further examination should be considered.

If you have symptoms of tongue cancer, you should go to the hospital for further examinations, such as oral examinations, biopsies, and imaging examinations, to confirm whether you have tongue cancer. You should avoid smoking, drinking, HPV infection, etc., maintain good oral hygiene habits, and have regular oral examinations to reduce the incidence of tongue cancer.