Tongue Cancer

Tongue Cancer

Background/Demographics

What is cancer? Cancer begins is the cells. Cells are the building blocks that make up tissues and tissues make up organs of the body. Usually cells grow and divide to form new cells as the body needs them. As the cells get old, they die and new cells take their place. Sometimes this organized process doesn’t go the way it is supposed to and the body starts making new cells when it doesn’t need it and the old cells don’t die when they should. These cells form a mass tissue called a growth or tumor. There are two different types of tumors—benign and malignant. Benign tumors are not life-threatening and can easily be removed but malignant tumors can be life-threatening. Malignant tumors can also be removed but they usually grow back. Oral cancer is term used to describe the variety of head and neck related cancer categories. Some most common types include mouth cancer, tongue cancer, tonsil cancer and throat cancer. Oral cancers can develop in any part of the oral cavity or the oropharynx. According to Oral Cancer Foundation, close to 37,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral or pharyngeal cancer each year and it will cause over 8,000 deaths, killing roughly 1 person every hour (2010). It might be surprising to hear but the death rate for oral cancer is higher than that of cancers that are heard about routinely such as cervical cancer (Oral Cancer, 2010). Oral cancer accounts for approximately 4% of all cancers and 2% of all cancer deaths ( Ar and Naing, 2007). Tongue cancer is squamous cell carcinoma like others oral cancers. It usually occurs in people over the age of 45 years but it has been known to occur in younger people (Cancer Treatment, n.d.).

Usual onset

There are many factors that contribute to the onset of tongue cancer. Tobacco use accounts for most oral cancers. Cigars, pipes, smoking cigarettes, chewing tobacco and dipping sniffs are all linked to tongue cancer (MedicineNet.com, 2009). Drinking alcohol...