What are the types of tongue cancer? What are the clinical manifestations of tongue cancer?

Tongue cancer can be divided into papillary type and invasive or ulcerative type. The former usually occurs at the tip of the tongue, grows slowly, is milder in severity, and has a better prognosis, while the latter is more malignant and progresses more rapidly. Invasive or ulcerative type tongue cancer is a common clinical type.

1. Papillary type

Papillary tongue cancer usually occurs at the tip of the tongue. In the early stages, the tongue mucosa thickens and gradually bulges out, presenting as papillary lumps. It grows slowly in the early stages, but can gradually increase in size, spread to other surrounding tissues and organs, form ulcers, or invade deep tissues.

2. Infiltrative or ulcerative type

Infiltrative or ulcerative tongue cancer is more common clinically. In the early stage, it mainly manifests as oral ulcers or infiltrated masses. The disease progresses rapidly and widely, and can invade deep tissues. Its malignancy is higher than that of papillary tongue cancer. The center of the ulcer is sunken, the edges are raised, and the surface is ulcerated. It can be infected and cause severe pain.