Detailed explanation of the causes of tongue cancer recurrence

As the pace of life accelerates, some diseases quietly enter our bodies and affect our lives. Tongue cancer is not unfamiliar to friends. The incidence rate has been on the rise in recent years, so we should pay attention to it. However, some tongue cancer patients have recurrence after being cured. What is the reason? Then let's talk about the reasons for the recurrence of tongue cancer in detail.

Most tongue cancers are squamous cell carcinomas, especially in the front 2/3 of the tongue. Adenocarcinomas are less common and are mostly located at the root of the tongue. Lymphoepithelial carcinoma and undifferentiated carcinoma may also occur at the root of the tongue. It is reported that tongue cancer relapses mostly within 5 years after surgery. The recurrence sites are mostly at the primary tumor site or the neck, about 40% occur at the original surgical site, and 60% occur in the cervical lymph nodes. From this point of view, the possibility of tongue cancer recurrence after surgery is very high. So what is the reason for the recurrence of tongue cancer after surgery?

1. Scope of surgical resection. Whether tongue cancer metastasizes or recurs after surgery is significantly related to the scope of surgical resection. According to statistics, the recurrence rate after simple tongue cancer resection is 40% to 60%, and the recurrence rate after lateral lobectomy is 10% to 20%.

2. The degree of malignancy of tongue cancer. The degree of malignancy of tongue cancer also determines the recurrence rate. In other words, the higher the malignancy, the greater the possibility of postoperative recurrence or distant metastasis. In addition, recurrence and metastasis are also closely related to the correctness of the initial treatment plan. If the treatment plan is formulated and selected properly, the 10-year survival rate is generally above 90%.

3. Tumor size. The recurrence of tongue cancer is closely related to the size and infiltration of the tumor. When the tumor grows within a certain limit (diameter <1.0 cm), the infiltration of cancer cells and the generation of hidden foci are limited; if the tumor volume exceeds a certain range ≥1.0 cm, the chances of capsule infiltration, multicentric cancer foci and lymph node metastasis increase, making it difficult to completely remove the tumor by surgery, thus increasing the recurrence rate.

Therefore, we remind everyone to take early prevention, early detection, early treatment, and go to regular medical institutions for reasonable and effective treatment to completely cure tongue cancer. People with tongue cancer must pay attention to protecting their oral hygiene and avoid oral ulcers. It is best not to eat hard foods frequently during this period. Of course, you should also reduce smoking and drinking. Patients must quit smoking during the illness so that they can have a healthy body.