Cancer, in medical terms, refers to a malignant tumor that develops from the cells in the layers called 'epithelium' that cover the external and internal surfaces of the body. Tongue cancer is a disease that progresses with the uncontrolled growth of the cells that make up the different tissues in the structure of the tongue, destroying the surrounding structures. This tumor, like other malignant tumors, becomes life-threatening by spreading (metastasized) to the lymph nodes in the neck and other organs of the body if it remains untreated and progresses.
What is a tumor of the tongue and mouth?
Medical In this sense, tumor refers to all uncontrolled cell growth, including cancer. This growth can be malignant (malignant) or benign (benign).
In general, malignant tumors grow by invading and damaging the surrounding tissues, as well as spreading to the surrounding lymph nodes and other organs of the body. It spreads (metastasizes) and continues to grow uncontrollably in those areas. Ultimately, this process will become life-threatening.
Benign tumors grow by 'pushing' the surrounding tissues without invading and generally causing damage. They do not spread to the lymph nodes and other organs of the body (metastasize) and do not pose a life-threatening threat.
Where is cancer seen in the mouth?
The tongue is the organ with the most cancer in the mouth, but cancer can also occur in other parts of the mouth. can be seen. These are;
- Floor of the mouth – sublingual
- Gum and jawbone (mandible maxilla)
- Cheek
- Tonsil – tonsil
- Hard and soft palates – uvula
- Lip
What are the types of tongue and oral tumors?
Some of the tumors we encounter in the tongue are benign tumors such as papilloma (warty tumor), fibroma and granuloma. However, a significant portion of them are malignant tumors listed below.
Malignant tumors
Squamous Cell (Epidermoid) Cancer:
The epithelium covering the surface of the tongue The most common cancer in this layer is squamous cell cancer, also known as epidermoid cancer. This type of cancer also occurs most frequently in other areas of the head and neck, such as the nose, mouth (oral cavity), throat, pharynx (oropharynx), lower pharynx (hypopharynx) and larynx (larynx).
Mucoepidermoid Cancer:
It is a type of cancer that develops from microscopic salivary gland cells within the epithelial layer of the tongue. Apart from the tongue, it can also develop from the epithelial layer of areas such as the nose, mouth (oral cavity), throat, pharynx (oropharynx), lower pharynx (hypopharynx) and larynx (larynx).
This tumor also opens into the oral cavity
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- parotid: in front of the ear,
- submandibular: under the chin
- sublingual: It can also occur in the sublingual salivary glands.
Mucoepidermoid cancer manifests itself as swelling rather than a wound.
Adenocystic Cancer (Adenoid cystic cancer)
It is a type of cancer that develops from microscopic salivary gland cells located within the epithelial layer of the tongue. Apart from the tongue, it can also develop from the epithelial layer of areas such as the nose, mouth (oral cavity), throat, pharynx (oropharynx), lower pharynx (hypopharynx) and larynx (larynx).
This tumor also opens into the oral cavity
- parotid: in front of the ear,
- submandibular: under the chin
- sublingual: It can also occur in the sublingual salivary glands.
Adenocystic cancer manifests itself as swelling rather than a wound.
What do benign and malignant tumors mean?
Benign tumors in the body generally grow slowly (over years), do not damage surrounding tissues, do not spread (metastasize) to lymph nodes and other organs, and are often separated from surrounding tissues by a boundary called a capsule. are tumors. These tumors rarely reach life-threatening size.
Malignant tumors generally grow faster (within weeks or months), invade and damage surrounding tissues, spread (metastasize) to lymph nodes and other organs, and most These are life-threatening tumors if left untreated.
What are the causes of tongue and oral tumors or cancer?
Some factors that lead to the formation of cancers in the tongue, especially squamous cell cancer, are well known.
These are;
- Use of cigarettes and tobacco products,
- Excessive alcohol use. �mi,
- Dental prostheses that do not fit well and irritate the mucosa,
- HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) infection Types 16 – 18 (especially in tonsil and tongue base cancer)
However, some of the patients do not have any of these reasons.
What is the role of HPV in the development of tongue and oral cancer?
HPV is a sexually transmitted virus. It can cause some lesions and tumor development in the genital area, more commonly in women. There are many types of HPV. Among these, especially types 16 and 18, can lead to the development of tumors both in the sexual organs and in the mouth, throat or larynx.
In the mouth and throat, HPV is most common in the back part of the tongue, called the root of the tongue, and in the tonsils. Cancer development is observed due to HPV.
It is accepted that cancers that develop in the front and side parts of the tongue, gums, cheeks and lips are generally not related to HPV.
Poorly made dental prostheses and tongue and mouth What is the relationship between dental cancer?
Prostheses that do not fit well in the mouth and are made of bad materials can irritate the mucosal layer of the tongue, gums, floor of the mouth and cheek over the years and lead to the development of cancer. For this reason, if the prosthesis and denture cause irritation as a result of hitting, it is recommended to replace it with a better made prosthesis.
What are the symptoms of tongue and oral cancer or tumor?
Tongue cancer in general It manifests itself as a sore or swelling on the sides of the tongue that has been present for weeks or months. Unlike ordinary wounds, there is no healing and it continues to grow. This swelling or wound can also be seen in the back parts of the tongue, called the tongue root.
While the wound is painless at first, over time, pain may be added to the symptoms and may affect the patient's speech, swallowing and eating. In later stages, the pain may become constant and cause great distress to the patient, especially at night. Pain can sometimes affect the ear on the same side.
The disease can sometimes spread to the lymph nodes in the neck and under the jaw (metastasize) and manifest itself with swelling.
Who is more likely to have tongue and mouth cancer? Is it common?
Tongue cancer is most common in women aged 30 and over. are seen consecutively. However, it can be seen in men, and rarely in young people and children.
Male patients are typically people who have a habit of heavy alcohol and tobacco use and do not pay much attention to body and oral hygiene, while female patients sometimes do not have a habit of using tobacco and alcohol. There may be individuals who pay attention to their body and oral hygiene and nutrition.
What does tongue and oral lesion mean?
The word lesion in medicine is generally used on the skin or mucosa. It is the name given to developments that are distinguished as swelling, collapse or color change. This development can be benign or malignant.
When this change occurs on the surface of the tongue, it is called a tongue lesion. If it has been present for more than two or three weeks, it would be appropriate to take a biopsy.
What are leukoplakia and erythroplakia?
Lokoplakia and erythroplakia usually cover the inside of the mouth. These are lesions that appear as discoloration on the mucosa without swelling. These lesions may occur in the tongue, as well as in the oral cavity, pharynx (oropharynx), or even in the larynx (larynx).
While the color of the lesion is white in leukoplakia, it is in red tones in erythroplakia. If these lesions have been present for more than two or three weeks, taking a biopsy or removing them entirely would be the right way.
The importance of leukoplakia and erytoplakia is that they have the possibility of turning into squamous cell cancer. For this reason, they often have to be completely removed surgically.
Who gets leukoplakia and erythroplakia?
These lesions can sometimes be caused by smoking, heavy alcohol use, use of prosthetic teeth. It occurs due to reasons such as long-term irritation.
Sometimes, especially in women, it can develop spontaneously without any of the above reasons.
There is a wound or discolored area on my tongue, what should I do?
If the wound or discoloration areas have been present for more than two to three weeks, it would be beneficial to be seen by an ear, nose and throat physician. Benign lesions will usually heal and disappear within this period.
There is a sore or discolored area under my tongue, what should I do?
If there is a sore or discolored area, If areas of color change have been present for more than two to three weeks, it would be beneficial to be seen by an ear, nose and throat physician. Benign lesions will often heal and disappear within this period.
How do we differentiate between canker sores and tumor or cancer?
Canker sores, on the tongue, under the tongue, cheek, palate, lip They are harmless lesions that occur in areas such as the inner part of the body, usually do not exceed 5-6 mm in size, are painful and are expected to heal within two weeks.
Aphthous ulcers do not become cancerous and do not turn into cancer. There is no relationship between frequent canker sores and oral cancers.
Tumor or cancer are formations that exist for more than two or three weeks and are often painless at first. While the size of the aphthous ulcer tends to decrease and disappear over time, the tumor does not shrink, does not disappear on its own, and almost always continues to grow.
Does the absence of pain reduce the possibility of the wound on the tongue being cancerous?
No, it does not reduce it. Pain is not expected in the early stages of cancer. Even if there is no pain, if there is an unusual appearance in the mouth that lasts more than three weeks, it would be beneficial to consult an ear, nose and throat physician.
In which part of the tongue does the tongue cancer or tongue tumor settle?
Tongue cancers, It is mainly located in three areas of the tongue: on the side of the tongue, in the lower part of the tongue, also called the floor of the mouth, and in the back part of the tongue, called the root of the tongue. However, tumors can also be seen in areas such as the tip of the tongue and the middle part of the tongue.
Are there differences between tumors of the side and back part of the tongue (tongue root)?
They occur on the side of the tongue. Cancers are more common and can be detected more easily than cancers that occur in the back part of the tongue, which we call the base of the tongue. Tongue base cancers show symptoms later than cancers on the side of the tongue and are usually at a more advanced stage when diagnosed. Therefore, it may be necessary to perform larger surgeries in its treatment. Sometimes, while the cancer itself at the base of the tongue remains hidden, lymph node enlargement that has metastasized in the neck appears as the first symptom. The role of HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) in the formation of tongue base cancers is greater than in cancers on the side of the tongue.
When is a doctor's examination necessary?
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