Are tongue warts cancerous?

On their own, tongue warts are not dangerous. But the HPV virus that causes them is linked as a cause of several types of cancer. It is important to slow or stop the spread of HPV by limiting the amount of intimate contact you have with other people while you have an active case of oral warts.

How common are tongue warts?

Since warts may spread from one part of the body to another, it's possible to get one on your tongue. Oral HPV is a common condition, too. About 7 percent of the U.S. population has oral HPV, estimates the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) .

Can oral warts turn into cancer?

It's possible to develop warts in the mouth or throat in certain cases, but this is less common. This type of HPV can turn into oropharyngeal cancer, which is rare.

Why do I have a wart on my tongue?

Tongue warts are bumps of flesh that usually go away on their own and typically do not cause discomfort. They are due to the HPV virus, which can spread through sexual activity such as oral, vaginal, or anal sex. In some cases, HPV can lead to several cancers.

Is HPV on tongue serious?

HPV can infect the mouth and throat and cause cancers of the oropharynx (back of the throat, including the base of the tongue and tonsils). This is called oropharyngeal cancer. HPV is thought to cause 70% of oropharyngeal cancers in the United States.

Video Q&A about HPV-related Tongue and Tonsil Cancer

Is oral HPV always cancerous?

Scientists have known for decades about the link between the human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer. They've also known for years that an oral infection with the virus can also cause cancers of the head and neck. However, most people who get oral HPV don't get cancer.

Are all tongue warts HPV?

Like all warts, warts on the tongue are caused by an infection of human papilloma virus (or HPV). There are more than 100 different types of documented HPVs across the globe.

Are tongue warts rare?

HPV or human papilloma virus is the reason why warts on the tongue appear, it is rather an uncommon occurrence and usually pops out of nowhere.

What do HPV warts on tongue look like?

Warts are small-sized benign bumpy structures pink in color if they undergo keratinization via a single layer and seem white if multiple layers are involved. A bump or wart in the tongue due to HPV is cystic look wise and is a white raised spot like structure.

Is HPV on tongue curable?

Currently there is no treatment for the oral HPV infection. However, most people who get an infection usually clear the virus on their own within a year or two of getting the infection with no treatment and no interventions. Most people who get an oral HPV infection will never go on to develop the cancer.

What percentage of oral HPV turns into cancer?

The foundation feels that while these tests find infections through a well-recognized testing protocol (PCR testing), since only about 1% of individuals that develop a high risk type oral HPV infection ever cascade into cancer, and that most often occurs decades after infection, that the utility of the test is highly ...

How can you tell if a wart is cancerous?

When in doubt, get a biopsy. If you have any suspicions about a wart-like growth on your body, go to your doctor or dermatologist immediately to get it checked out. Only a biopsy can definitively say if it is cancer or not.

What does cancer of the tongue look like?

The symptoms of tongue cancer might include: a red or white patch on the tongue that won't go away. a sore throat that doesn't go away. a sore spot (ulcer) or lump on the tongue that doesn't go away.

How do I know if I have HPV on my tongue?

An oral HPV infection has no symptoms and cannot be detected by a test. If you have symptoms that concern you, it does not mean you have cancer, but you should see your health care provider to get it checked. You may undergo a physical exam. Your provider may examine your mouth area.

How long do HPV oral warts take to appear?

What's the oral HPV incubation period? On average, it takes about three to six months for oral HPV warts to appear after exposure. Keep in mind, though, that many people don't develop symptoms at all.

How are warts removed from the tongue?

Freezing (Cryotherapy or liquid nitrogen therapy): Liquid nitrogen to destroy the wart by freezing it. This treatment is not too painful and is often effective, may need repeated treatments. Laser: Laser surgery can be expensive and it may leave a scar.

How often are oral papillomas cancerous?

Oral cancer is just one type of head and neck cancer. Data from the CDC indicates that about 7% of people have oral HPV, but only 1% have the type of oral HPV found in head and neck cancers.

Should I be worried if I have HPV in my mouth?

Apart from warts in the mouth, HPV can also affect the throat, either resulting in warts, or oropharyngeal cancer. High-risk strains of the virus can lead to the development of cancer in the mouth and throat.

Is oral HPV high risk?

Oral sex has been reported to increase the risk of HPV infection among young men (18 - 24 years) and young women (mean age 21.9 years) [12, 13, 54]. On the other hand, other studies did not find a significant association between that and HPV infection in men or women [20, 22, 23].

What does oral HPV feel like?

You may also experience difficulty swallowing, or a 'sticky' feeling as you swallow, have swollen but painless tonsils, be able to feel a lump in the neck area, experience a chronic sore throat or difficulty chewing/ a chronic cough, get intermittent numbness or tingling in the tongue or throat, drool excessively or ...

What happens if oral HPV doesn't go away?

In most cases (9 out of 10), HPV goes away on its own within two years without health problems. But when HPV does not go away, it can cause health problems like genital warts and cancer.

What is first stage of tongue cancer?

Some of the first signs of tongue cancer often include a painful lump or sore on the side of the tongue that may bleed easily and resist healing. Mouth or tongue pain is also a common symptom. Other painful symptoms include: Persistent jaw pain.

How do you rule out tongue cancer?

Where does tongue cancer usually start?

Several types of cancer can affect the tongue, but tongue cancer most often begins in the thin, flat squamous cells that line the surface of the tongue. The type of cells involved in your tongue cancer helps determine your prognosis and treatment.

When should I be concerned about a wart?

Medical attention should be sought if: Warts cause pain or change color. Warts spread, do not respond to treatment or frequently recur. The person has a weakened immune system.