Tongue cancer is a common type of oral cancer and it involves the tongue getting infected with ulcers. When the cancer is malignant, it appears in the squamous cells, which metastasize from the point where it originated to other parts of the mouth. It spreads through the blood stream or lymphatic ducts and can affect the throat.
There are several causes of lung cancer. One of them is smoking and according to studies people who smoke are six times more prone to getting oral cancer than those who do not smoke. Smoking affects the cells of the tongue making them to become cancerous. Tongue cancer is also caused by chewing tobacco. Another cause of this type of cancer is the consumption of alcohol, which is capable of stimulating cancer causing genes.
Exposure to radiation is another cause of tongue cancer. This can happen to people exposed to nuclear catastrophes. This cancer is also caused by excessive exposure to ultraviolet rays. It can also be caused by poor dental hygiene and it is therefore important that you always keep your mouth clean. Another cause of tongue cancer is infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV). The genetic material of HPV replicates itself causing the cancer to spread to other areas of the mouth.
Another cause of tongue cancer is eating an improper diet that lacks essential nutrients. In addition to this, consuming a lot of spices, sauces and red chilies can also lead to tongue cancer. The chewing of betel leaves and betel nut, which is a common practice in Asia, also leads to tongue cancer. This cancer is also caused by hereditary reasons and those people with a family history of tongue cancer are more prone to getting it.
The common symptom of tongue cancer is the appearance of a white or red spot on the tongue. It can be one spot or several and it could be small or medium in size. The spot can also appear on the gum or mouth lining and it becomes firmer as the condition progresses. The other symptom of tongue cancer is feeling pain in the throat or finding it difficult to chew or swallow food. Bleeding is another symptom of this cancer due to the cancer spots that break open.
Another symptom of tongue cancer is change in the tone of one’s voice. This is usually accompanied by aches in the inner or middle ear. Other symptoms are bad breath, reduced tongue movement, finding it difficult to open one’s mouth and a painful tongue lesion that does not heal. Tongue cancer is treated with medicines, radiation and chemotherapy depending on how severe the condition is.