How to judge the early, middle and late stages of tongue cancer? How to classify tongue cancer?

The early, middle and late stages of tongue cancer can be judged by symptoms. Early symptoms are not obvious, or there are only small lumps. If the disease progresses further, it will reach the middle stage of tongue cancer. When the tongue surface ulcers, pain, swallowing and language functions are affected, it is the late stage of tongue cancer. The early, middle and late stages of tongue cancer can also be judged by stages. Stages 1 and 2 are early, stage 3 is middle, and stage 4 is late.

Tongue cancer often occurs at the edge of the tongue. Most cases are squamous cell carcinomas, which are highly malignant and require prompt treatment. When treating tongue cancer, different treatment methods should be adopted according to the severity of the disease. The prognosis will also vary depending on the severity of the disease. Generally, early stage tongue cancer is the golden period for treatment. Active treatment has the hope of cure. So, how to judge the early, middle and late stages of tongue cancer?

1. Judging the early, middle and late stages of tongue cancer based on symptoms

1. Early symptoms

In the early stages of tongue cancer, the symptoms are not particularly obvious. There may only be some small nodules on the tongue. As the disease progresses, lumps, ulcers, etc. may appear, and pain may occur if infection occurs.

2. Mid-term symptoms

As tongue cancer progresses, it will become the middle stage of tongue cancer, and the symptoms at this stage are often more obvious and severe than those in the early stage. Cancer cells will invade the tongue, and symptoms such as limited movement, difficulty eating, and slurred speech may occur. After oral ulcers appear, they still cannot be cured after 2 to 4 weeks of treatment, and the area of ​​ulcers and erosions is gradually increasing.

3. Late symptoms

At this time, there will be ulcers on the tongue surface, and there will be invasive nodules around the ulcer surface. When the cancer invades the tongue muscles and lingual nerves, there will be tongue pain and tongue movement disorders, and swallowing and language functions will be affected. At this time, dead cells will also metastasize to the lymph nodes, causing symptoms of swollen and painful lymph nodes.

2. Judging the early, middle and late stages of tongue cancer based on staging

1. Early stage of tongue cancer

When tongue cancer is suspected, pathological examination and other related examinations are performed. If the tongue cancer is in stage I or II, cancer cells are only found on the tongue, and there is no infiltration or metastasis to the surrounding tissues; even if there is a nodule on the tongue surface, the diameter will not exceed one centimeter, which is generally in the early stage of tongue cancer.

2. Intermediate stage of tongue cancer

When tongue cancer reaches stage three, cancer cells will infiltrate into surrounding tissues, and the lump on the tongue will become larger, possibly with a diameter between 2 and 4 centimeters. This is the middle stage of tongue cancer.

3. Late stage of tongue cancer

Tongue cancer is classified into stage IV, when cancer cells metastasize to distant parts, such as lymph node metastasis, lung metastasis, liver metastasis, bone metastasis, etc. At this time, the disease has developed to the late stage and the cure rate is extremely low.