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Five signs of tongue cancer to watch out for
Tongue cancer, which is a type of mouth cancer, usually started from early form squamous cells that are flat, scale-like cells that covers the surface of the mouth, lips and tongue.
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The ailment can be caused by an unhealthy lifestyle, excessive consumption of alcoholic beverage, smoking and/or the human papillomavirus (HPV). (Shutterstock/File)
Tongue cancer can be tricky to detect, because it shows similar symptoms to common mouth ailments.
The malady, which is a type of mouth cancer, usually started from early form squamous cells, which are flat, scale-like cells that cover the surface of the mouth, lips and tongue.
When it spreads, tongue cancer affects the system that controls the flow of lymph in the body, called the lymphatic system. It can also spread to other body parts near the mouth, to the neck and lungs.
The ailment can be caused by an unhealthy lifestyle, excessive consumption of alcoholic beverage, smoking and/or the human papillomavirus (HPV).
Here are some of the warning signs of tongue cancer to watch out for as compiled by tempo.co:
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Unceasing sore throat
Promptly go to the doctor if you experience soreness in your throat that has not subsided after two weeks.
A bump or thickening in the mouth
The bump in the mouth, which hardens and is located at the back of tongue near the neck/throat, can be a sign of throat cancer. This bump can be clearly seen and cause difficulty in talking.
Stiff tongue
Another possible sign of throat cancer is when the tongue is hard to move and causes unclear speech.
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Sore jaw
The soreness is usually focused on the joint in the jaw, also known as temporomandibular. If the pain has gone on for quite a while and already spreads to the head and face, the time has come for a doctor’s appointment.
Ulcer-like irritation in the gum, tongue, or the lining of the mouth
Though the ulcer-like white-colored wound can fool you into thinking it is just a mouth ulcer, this is actually a sign that the tongue cancer has spread. See a doctor if what you think is mouth ulcer has not gone away after one week. (dan/kes)
