What is the most common location for cancerous lesions on the tongue?

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.


At what site is oral cancer most likely to appear?

More than 90% of oral and oropharyngeal cancers are squamous cell carcinoma. This means that they begin in the flat, squamous cells found in the lining of the mouth and throat.
...
The most common locations for cancer in the oral cavity are:
  • Tongue.
  • Tonsils.
  • Oropharynx.
  • Gums.
  • Floor of the mouth.


What does a cancer spot look like on your tongue?

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.


Where does tongue cancer spread to first?

The most common sites where mouth and oropharyngeal cancer spread to include: the lymph nodes in the neck. the bones. the lungs.

What are the first signs of cancer of the tongue?

Signs and symptoms of mouth cancer may include:
  • A lip or mouth sore that doesn't heal.
  • A white or reddish patch on the inside of your mouth.
  • Loose teeth.
  • A growth or lump inside your mouth.
  • Mouth pain.
  • Ear pain.
  • Difficult or painful swallowing.


Oral Cancer - causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, pathology



What does Stage 1 tongue cancer look like?

The most common early symptom of tongue cancer is a sore on your tongue that doesn't heal and that bleeds easily. You might also notice mouth or tongue pain. Other symptoms of tongue cancer include: a red or white patch on your tongue that persists.

How do you rule out tongue cancer?

The following tests may be used to diagnose oral or oropharyngeal cancer:
  1. Physical examination. Dentists and doctors often find lip and oral cavity cancers during routine checkups. ...
  2. Endoscopy. ...
  3. Biopsy. ...
  4. Oral brush biopsy. ...
  5. HPV testing. ...
  6. X-ray. ...
  7. Barium swallow/modified barium swallow. ...
  8. Computed tomography (CT or CAT) scan.


Does tongue cancer progress quickly?

Oral cancer lesions can be often asymptomatic until they are advanced, and the progression can occur rapidly.


What is the average age for tongue cancer?

Tongue cancer is most common in men over age 60. It is rare in people, particularly women, under age 40.

Is tongue cancer usually fatal?

When identified early, tongue cancer is highly curable, but it can be deadly if it is not promptly diagnosed and treated. Tongue cancer is a serious, life-threatening form of oral cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, oral cancer accounts for 2% to 4% of all cancers diagnosed annually in the United States.

What does the start of oral cancer look like?

"There are two basic ways that oral cancers present in the mouth — as white patches or red patches," says Dr. Kain. "Red patches are a bit more concerning than white patches, but either needs to be evaluated if it doesn't go away after several weeks."


What is pre cancer on the tongue?

An oral precancerous lesion, also called dysplasia, is a growth that contains abnormal cells confined to the lining of the oral cavity, or mouth. This lining is called the mucosa. It covers the inside of the cheeks, the inside of the lips, the gums, the tongue, and the roof and floor of the mouth.

Are all tongue lesions cancerous?

Most oral lesions are traumatic in nature and have no potential for cancer (Figure A). However, some oral lesions have an appearance which may raise suspicion by the dentist.

What is the survival rate for tongue cancer?

The oropharynx is the part of the throat (pharynx) just behind the mouth. For tongue cancers: almost 80 out of 100 (almost 80%) survive their cancer for a year or more after diagnosis. almost 60 out of 100 (almost 60%) survive their cancer for 5 years or more after diagnosis.


What is the most common site for oral squamous cell carcinoma?

OSCC can affect any site of the oral mucosa and large lesions can invade several continuous areas. The present results showed that the border of tongue, gingiva/alveolar mucosa and floor of mouth/ventral tongue were the most commonly affected locations.

Is Stage 1 tongue cancer curable?

Stages I and II oral cavity cancer

Most patients with stage I or II oral cavity cancers do well when treated with surgery and/or radiation therapy. Chemotherapy (chemo) given along with radiation (called chemoradiation) is another option. Both surgery and radiation work equally well in treating these cancers.

What are my chances of getting tongue cancer?

Overall, the lifetime risk of developing oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer is: about 1 in 60 (1.7%) for men and 1 in 140 (0.71%) for women. A number of other factors (described in Oral Cavity and Oropharyngeal Cancer Risk Factors) can also affect your risk for developing mouth and throat cancer.


Can a dentist detect tongue cancer?

Most dentists perform an examination of your mouth during a routine dental visit to screen for oral cancer. Some dentists may use additional tests to aid in identifying areas of abnormal cells in your mouth.

What does Stage 3 tongue cancer look like?

Stage 3 oral cancer: A stage 3 oral tumor means one of the following: The oral tumor is larger than 4 cm across, and no cancer cells are present in nearby structures, lymph nodes or distant sites. The oral tumor is any size but has not grown into nearby structures or distant sites.

What percentage of oral lesions are cancerous?

Sometimes, cysts or growths form in the jaw area, called odontogenic tumors, but most often, these tumors are benign (noncancerous). Malignant (cancerous) tumors are estimated to account for between 1 percent and 6 percent of all odontogenic tumors, according to the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.


Are most tongue lesions benign?

Many are benign, although some (e.g., leukoplakia) may represent neoplasia or cancer.

What is the most common oral precancerous lesion?

The most common oral precancerous lesions are oral leukoplakia, oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF), and oral erythroplakia.

Does oral cancer start on the tongue?

Tongue cancer is a type of mouth cancer, or oral cancer, that usually develops in the squamous cells on the surface of the tongue. It can cause tumors or lesions. The most noticeable symptoms of tongue cancer are a sore on the tongue that does not heal and a painful tongue.


How is early stage of mouth cancer diagnosed?

Symptoms of mouth cancer
  • mouth ulcers that are painful and do not heal within several weeks.
  • unexplained, persistent lumps in the mouth or the neck that do not go away.
  • unexplained loose teeth or sockets that do not heal after extractions.
  • unexplained, persistent numbness or an odd feeling on the lip or tongue.


How quickly does oral cancer spread?

There aren't any hard and fast timelines for whether or when oral cancer will spread. Size is more a determinant. For a moderate-sized oral cancer, there is roughly a 20 to 30 percent chance that it has already spread to the lymph nodes at the time of diagnosis.
Previous question
Can newborns remember being born?
Next question
What does LOL mean from a guy?