Tongue Cancer

Tongue cancer is one of the many head and neck cancers we treat at Goshen Center for Cancer Care. The most common type of tongue cancer is oral cavity cancer, which affects the front two-thirds of the tongue. Tongue cancer that’s located in the inner third of the tongue is known as throat cancer.

As northern Indiana’s first comprehensive cancer center, we treat tongue cancer like no other facility in the region. Our multidisciplinary team uniquely approaches each case, combining different areas of expertise to heal all of you, not just your cancer. Whether you’re looking for a second opinion or a supportive treatment team, we’re here to help.

Tongue cancer symptoms

In the early stages, symptoms may not be present for tongue cancer that’s in the back of the tongue. Cancer on the front of the tongue is often visible, but doesn’t cause other noticeable symptoms.

For both areas of the tongue, the following symptoms may appear as the disease advances:

• A sore or ulcer that doesn’t heal
• Feeling like you have a persistent cold
• Feeling like there is a lump or something stuck in your throat
• Chronic bad breath
• Difficulty chewing, swallowing or moving the tongue
• Ear pain
• Lump that bleeds easily
• Numbness in the mouth or tongue
• Tongue, jaw or throat pain
• Voice changes
• White or red patches

Some noncancerous conditions can cause these symptoms, so have your primary care provider assess them for a timely diagnosis.

Causes and prevention

Tobacco – including snuff, chewing tobacco, cigarettes and cigars – is a main cause of head and neck cancer, including tongue cancer.

In addition to tobacco use, other known risk factors are:

• Male gender
• African-American race
• Age 40 or older
• HPV infection
• Alcohol use

You can lower your risk for tongue cancer by not using tobacco. Goshen Health offers smoking cessation programs to help you quit tobacco for good.

Treating tongue cancer at Goshen Center for Cancer Care

Tongue cancer treatment begins with knowing the cancer’s stage.

Understanding the cancer’s characteristics help the treatment team make effective, personalized treatment plans that may include:

• Surgery to remove the tumor
• Radiation therapy with or without chemotherapy after surgery
• Targeted therapy to kill specific cancer targets
• Naturopathic medicine

We value our patients and work with them to heal not just their cancer, but their mental and physical well-being.