{"id":289818,"date":"2026-09-24T13:39:37","date_gmt":"2026-09-24T13:39:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/?p=289818"},"modified":"2026-09-24T13:39:43","modified_gmt":"2026-09-24T13:39:43","slug":"cancer-care-tongue-cancer-symptoms-causes-types-stages-and-treatment-options","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/cancer-care-tongue-cancer-symptoms-causes-types-stages-and-treatment-options\/","title":{"rendered":"Tongue Cancer: Symptoms, Causes, Types, Stages and Treatment Options"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n<\/head>

\n

Table of Contents<\/p>\nToggle<\/span>

Introduction<\/a><\/li>
What Is Tongue Cancer?<\/a><\/li>
Types of Tongue Cancer<\/a><\/li>
Symptoms of Tongue Cancer<\/a><\/li>
Causes and Risk Factors of Tongue Cancer<\/a><\/li>
How Is Tongue Cancer Diagnosed?<\/a><\/li>
Stages of Tongue Cancer<\/a><\/li>
Treatment of Tongue Cancer<\/a><\/li>
Possible Complications of Tongue Cancer<\/a><\/li>
Can Tongue Cancer Be Prevented?<\/a><\/li>
When Should You Consult a Doctor?<\/a><\/li>
Conclusion<\/a><\/li>
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)<\/a><\/li>
References<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n \n <\/span>\n $\"Join$ \n <\/a>\n
<\/span>Introduction<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nAny unusual patch, ulcer, or lump on the tongue may seem harmless, especially when it first appears. However, if the lesion does not heal or persists for a long time, it is important to get it checked as persistent changes in the tongue may sometimes be a sign of tongue cancer 1<\/a><\/sup>. In this blog, we will discuss what tongue cancer is and its types. We will also discuss its common symptoms, diagnostic methods, and treatment options to manage the condition.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>What Is Tongue Cancer?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nTongue cancer is a type of oral cancer, where the cells of the tongue grow in an uncontrolled manner. This can lead to symptoms like the appearance of a spot, lump, or patch on the tongue, pain while swallowing, and sore throat 1<\/a><\/sup>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
Did You Know?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
Tongue cancer (squamous cell type) is the most common and aggressive type of oral cavity cancer, which is increasingly being reported among younger patients 2<\/a><\/sup>.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
When compared with international age-adjusted tongue cancer rates, Indian population-based cancer registries occupied all the top five positions for men and three of the top five positions for women 3<\/a><\/sup>.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
In men, Ahmedabad Urban registry had the highest age-adjusted rate of 12.2\u202fcases per 100,000. In women, Ahmedabad Urban, Kamrup Urban and East Khasi Hills registries reported the highest age-adjusted rate of 3.2 cases per 100,000 3<\/a><\/sup>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
In United States of America, the rate of new tongue cancer cases is approximately 3.7 per 100,000 men and women per year, while the death rate is approximately 0.7 per 100,000 men and women per year 4<\/a><\/sup>.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Types of Tongue Cancer<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nTongue cancer is classified as an oropharyngeal cancer. The most common <\/strong>type of oropharyngeal cancer and <\/strong>type of tongue cancer is squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), which arises from the thin, flat cells lining the surface of the tongue. Other types, including subtypes of SCC include1<\/a>,5<\/a>,6<\/a><\/sup>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
Spindle Cell Squamous Cell Carcinoma: This subtype of SCC usually affects the tongue, lower lip, and alveolar ridge (the ridge of bones that contains the sockets for the teeth).\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Basaloid Squamous Cell Carcinoma: This is a subtype of SCC that mostly affects the tongue and floor of mouth.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Adenosquamous Cell Carcinoma: This is a rare subtype of SCC.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Lymphoepithelial Carcinoma: This is a cancer of the nasopharynx that commonly affects the tongue.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Verrucous carcinoma: This is a slow-growing cancer and tongue is one of the most frequently affected organ in this type.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Symptoms of Tongue Cancer<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nLocalised pain is the most commonly reported symptom of tongue cancer. Other common symptoms include 7<\/a><\/sup>:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
A persistent lesion on the tongue\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Pain or difficulty with swallowing\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Weight loss\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
A lump in the neck\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Uncommon symptoms include 7<\/a><\/sup>:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
Blockage or difficulty breathing through one nostril.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Reduced or complete loss of hearing in one ear.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Ear pain in one ear.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
These symptoms may indicate the spread of the cancer beyond the oral cavity.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Causes and Risk Factors of Tongue Cancer<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In some cases, tongue cancer may develop without any identifiable cause or known risk factor.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although the exact tongue cancer causes are not known, there are several risk factors associated with tongue cancer. These include 8<\/a><\/sup>:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection 1<\/a><\/sup><\/li>\n\n\n\n
Consumption of tobacco or smoking cigarettes, cigars, or pipes 1<\/a>,3<\/a><\/sup><\/li>\n\n\n\n
Regular or heavy consumption of alcohol 1<\/a><\/sup><\/li>\n<\/ul>
<\/div>