Know Vital Facts About Squamous Cell Carcinoma Tongue
Squamous cell carcinoma tongue disease is a common type of cancer, and affects either the oral tongue or the tongue’s base. Squamous cell carcinoma is quite a common form of cancer which arises by the mutation of cells which line body cavities, and therefore it can affect various parts of the body and organs as well. Squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue usually occurs on the border of the tongue or at the posterior part of the tongue where it cannot be seen easily.
Causes of Tongue Squamous Cell Carcinoma
This cancer is mainly cause by chewing or smoking tobacco, chewing betel nut and by consuming alcohol. These ingredients are irritants for the epithelial tissues and repeated exposure will increase the chances of getting this cancer. Out of all these substances, tobacco is considered to be the main risk factor, and studies have shown that almost 80% of the cases of squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue are caused by smoking or chewing tobacco. Other factors which contribute to the risk of getting this cancer are bad oral hygiene, exposure to radiations, genetic predisposition and certain dietary factors.
Detection and Diagnosis
Squamous cell carcinoma on the tongue can be easily detected by the lump or lesion and should be immediately diagnosed by doing a biopsy to come to the right conclusion. When this cancer forms at the base of the tongue it is not easy to detect as you cannot see it easily.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma Tongue Prognosis
Early detection of this cancer will directly influence the prognosis and the worst scenario would be when the cancer has been diagnosed much later and has spread to the lymph nodes in the neck. A lot of complications and also death is possible if the cancer not detected and treated in the early stages.
Treatment of Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Tongue
Removing the cancerous tissues with surgery is considered the most effective treatment today. Some experts also suggest radiation and chemotherapy and it is mainly effective in the early stages. In many cases it is usually a combination of surgery and radiation to fully rid the body of this cancer. Radiation treatment is given after the surgery to make sure it does not recur again. Surgical procedure can affect the swallowing capability, and might also impair speech, but is a small price to pay compared to the devastating effects of this cancer. The survival rate and the recurrence of the cancer also depend on the patient’s habits after a recovery. If the patient continues to smoke tobacco and consume alcohol then the recovery rate is quite slim and there is much higher possibility of the cancer recurring and spreading.
Although cancer is one of the deadliest diseases, the squamous cell carcinoma tongue disease has a much better chance of being totally cured with early detection and surgery.
