Experts explain the dangers of tongue cancer

Although we often hear people say that tongue cancer has this and that harm, we still don't quite believe it. After all, the person who says this is not a medical expert and there is no scientific basis. In fact, experts have already interpreted the harm of tongue cancer, but we just haven't paid attention to it. Next, let's see how experts interpret the harm of tongue cancer.

Most tongue cancers occur on normal mucosa and are cancerous from the beginning; a few are formed from benign lesions, such as transformation from white spots. Tongue cancer is more likely to occur in the middle 1/3 of the tongue edge, followed by the tongue belly and back. In the early stage of tongue cancer, enlarged lymph nodes under the ear and jaw can be seen. The early symptoms are not obvious, and can be manifested as a clear-cut, fixed-range, and abnormally colored area on the mucosal surface. This area is mostly red or red and white, and the surface can be smooth or granular. Most have no ulcers, and a few have ulcers; it may not be higher than the mucosal surface or be about 1 mm higher than the mucosal surface. When the physical signs are obvious, it manifests as tongue lumps, ulcers, and pain and discomfort.

Below, see how experts interpret the dangers of tongue cancer:

1. Tongue cancer is often complicated by infection, and in the late stage it is often complicated by tissue necrosis, hemorrhage, and aspiration pneumonia.

2. Metastasis to the lingual and cervical lymph nodes occurs early, often limited to the pharyngeal and deep cervical lymph nodes. Root ulcers may also occasionally metastasize to the posterior styloid process and retropharyngeal lymph nodes. A small number of patients may have hematogenous metastasis, often to the lungs.

3. In some cases, the early symptoms of tongue cancer include difficulty swallowing, aggravated pain when talking and eating, and may spread to the same side of the ear. In the later stage, the tumor infiltrates into the stratum corneum and spreads to the oral cavity, which may restrict body movement and cause constipation, resulting in drooling, difficulty eating, and systemic nutritional disorders.

4. In the early stage of tongue cancer, there are often nodules or swellings at the edge of the tongue. Later, as the disease progresses, ulceration occurs in the center of the swelling and spreads to the parenchyma and para-epithelial tissue. The ulcer may appear cauliflower-like, with raised edges and an obvious hard infiltrated mass at the base.