Tongue Cancer

Tongue cancer is a rare type of cancer that develops in about 17,860 Americans each year. At Head & Neck Cancer Center of Texas, diagnostic testing is available to identify tongue cancer in the earliest stages. Cancer specialist Yadro Ducic, MD, FACS, also designs treatment plans to prevent tongue cancer from worsening and spreading. Call the office in Fort Worth, Texas, to schedule a tongue cancer consultation or book an appointment online today. 

What is tongue cancer?

Tongue cancer is a disease that develops when cancerous cells form in the lining of your tongue or deep within the muscle tissue.

Your risk for tongue cancer increases due to tobacco use, excessive alcohol use, and human papillomavirus (HPV) infections. You may also be at a higher risk for tongue cancer if you have a family history of the disease.

Head & Neck Cancer Center of Texas provides comprehensive care for tongue cancer. Dr. Ducic uses state-of-the-art technologies to diagnose the disease in the earliest stages. He also customizes a treatment plan to destroy cancer cells to prevent tissue damage and the spread of cancer to other areas of your body.

When should I seek medical care for tongue cancer?

Schedule a diagnostic evaluation at Head & Neck Cancer Center of Texas if you have symptoms of tongue cancer.

Since your tongue supports swallowing and speech, any changes in these functions can be a sign of tongue cancer. Other symptoms to look for include:

• Tongue ulcers 
• Mouth numbness
• Tongue or throat pain
• White or red patches in the mouth
• Difficulties chewing or swallowing food

Cancer can also cause a visible lump on the top or bottom of your tongue.

Dr. Ducic closely examines your tongue to identify suspicious cells. He can also remove a tissue sample during a biopsy to check for cancerous cells under a microscope. During testing, Dr. Ducic can also stage your cancer and determine if it’s spreading beyond your tongue.

How is tongue cancer treated?

Noncancerous (benign) and cancerous (malignant) tumors are often treatable with surgery. Dr. Ducic uses minimally invasive surgical techniques to remove diseased tissue without scarring. He may also remove nearby lymph nodes from your neck to eliminate all cancerous tissue.

You might also need chemotherapy or radiation therapy after surgery to destroy any remaining cancer, so the disease can’t spread elsewhere.

If you have large tumors that require the removal of a lot of tissue, Dr. Ducic can perform reconstruction surgery to restore the shape and function of your tongue. He uses your remaining tongue tissue when possible and can also transplant healthy tissue from other areas of your body when necessary.

Call the Head & Neck Cancer Center of Texas office near you to schedule a tongue cancer consultation or book an appointment online today.