10 Causes of a Sore Tongue
Cause #9: Oral Cancer
Oral cancer or mouth cancer refers to the presence of cancerous tissue growth in the oral cavity. It may begin as one lesion from any tissue in the mouth, metastasis from another site, or extension from an adjacent area. There are various histological types for oral cancer such as adenocarcinoma, melanoma, or lymphoma.
However, about 90 percent of oral cancers are squamous cell carcinomas. The five-year survival rate in the United States for oral cancer has been estimated to be at 63 percent. Symptoms of oral cancer include persistent patches (white or red), oral bleeding, surface changes, nonhealing ulcer, epistaxis, prolonged hoarseness, pain, or soreness of the oral cavity such as the tongue. Patients with the above symptoms should seek professional opinion as early diagnosis leads to early treatment and improved prognosis.
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