tongue cancer

The term "tongue cancer" refers to a relatively rare tumor originating from the tissues of the tongue. The mucous membrane of the tongue consists of several non-keratinizing layers of tissue (squamous epithelial cells). Therefore, most tumors of the tongue are referred to as "squamous cell carcinomas".

In principle, tongue cancer belongs to a large group of tumors of the head and neck. In most cases of cancerous tumors of this type, there is an association with increased consumption of tobacco and alcoholic beverages, which have a significant impact on their occurrence.

The tongue is an organ made up of many muscles and covered with a mucous membrane. When the mouth is closed, the front two-thirds of the tongue is adjacent to the palate. The back fixed part of the tongue, facing the pharynx, descends to the epiglottis and is called the “base of the tongue”. In more than half of all cases of tongue cancer, the localization of the tumor occurs in the region of the middle third along the edge of the tongue. Approximately one quarter of tumors form in the anterior third of the tongue and only about one fifth occur in the base of the tongue. Most often, the development of the tumor begins with the formation of ulcers. In general, there are flat tumors lying at the level of the mucous membrane and tumors protruding above the mucous membrane, like a cauliflower.

The functions of the tongue include participation in eating, the perception of taste, as well as articulation, that is, participation in the formation of speech sounds. The best therapeutic prognosis is in patients with small tumors without lymph node metastases. The five-year survival rate is 60 - 80%, depending on the stage of the tumor process.