Tongue cancer is a form of cancer typified by the abnormal and uncontrolled proliferation of tongue cells and the oropharynx (a portion of the throat just behind the mouth). Tongue cancer cases generally are included under the broad category of mouth cancer and are sometimes referred to as oral cancer. According to the National Cancer Institute, nearly 10,000 individuals are diagnosed with tongue cancer annually in the United States, and approximately 2,000 succumb to the disease. Tobacco use is considered to be one of the prime causes of tongue cancer, accounting for nearly 75 percent of all cases.
Treatment Options
Similar to other cancer forms, no treatment method is yet known to completely cure the condition. However doctors aim at controlling the metastasis and proliferation of the cancer cells. Surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy are some of the widely used methods to treat tongue cancer. The extent of the surgery generally varies and is dependent upon the staging and spreading of cancer.
In most cases, a small affected part of the tongue is removed in order to prevent subsequent spreading. A glossectomy, which is a complete removal of the tongue, is recommended when cancer spreads all over the tongue and other treatment methods do not show any promising results.
Patients at a high danger of cancer recurrence often undergo treatment methods like radiotherapy and chemotherapy. High power and energy light radiations, like X-rays are used to destroy the cancer cells in the radiotherapy technique. While chemotherapy involves administering anti-cancer drugs like interleukin-2 (IL-2) in order to damage the malignant cells and avert spreading.
Sucess Rates
The success rates for tongue cancer generally depend upon the stage of the cancer and the location of the growth of the cancer cells. According to the National Cancer Institute, the 5-year survival rate of tongue cancer between 1997 and 2005 was approximately 59.5 percent.
Time Frame
The time frame of the treatment methods generally differs from patient to patient, depending upon the growth and spreading of the malignant cells. Commonly, radiotherapy is administered to patients daily for nearly a month, while the chemotherapy method is administered for about two to three months with small gaps in between.
Side Effects
Numerous side effects are associated with the tongue cancer treatments. Surgery often causes difficulties in speech, eating and drinking, while radiotherapy and chemotherapy often result in making the tongue dry and frequently damage the taste buds.
Prevention/Solution
Some ofpreventive measures against tongue cancer include quitting smoking, avoiding excessive sun exposure and avoiding drinking alcohol.
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