Cancer of the tongue - early detection improves the prognosis
Mäkinen, L.K.; Hagström, J.; Mäkitie, A.; Atula, T.
Duodecim; Laaketieteellinen Aikakauskirja 132(22): 2063-2070
2016
ISSN/ISBN: 0012-7183 PMID: 29190054 Document Number: 686267
Approximately 30 to 40% of all patients with tongue cancer still succumb to the disease in five years. Early diagnosis of the disease is of vital importance, because treatment will in that case cause considerably less harm. The diagnosis is confirmed with a histological specimen, which should be taken from every suspicious lesion, and can easily be taken under local anesthesia with a punch. Already when seeking treatment, as many as 25 % of patients with tongue cancer have neck metastases, which influence the prognosis. Heavy use of tobacco and alcohol are the most important risk factors of tongue cancer.