There are two types of tongue cancers. One is the oral tongue cancer, which is found on the front part of the tongue, while the other is the base tongue cancer, which is found near the throat. Oral tongue cancer is mostly found to occur in the early stages, while the base tongue cancer is mostly found to occur in the advanced stages. Hence, the treatment for tongue cancer depends on the type of tongue cancer the patient is suffering from. Here we discuss the different methods of treatment for cancer of each type.

Surgery for Tongue Cancer Treatment

Surgery is done in both the cases and is the first preferred choice for treatment of oral tongue cancer by most of the doctors for the treatment of tongue cancer. In this method, the size of the cancerous cell is diagnosed and then the type of surgery is decided. Laser cautery is used when the cancer is found to be in its early stages (oral tongue cancer). While in the advanced stages (base tongue cancer), neck dissection or radical neck dissection, involving an incision in the neck, is preferred where the nearby neck lymph nodes are also removed, to ensure proper killing of the cancerous cells and prevent its recurrence. In cases where the tongue cancerous cells are found to be large in size, glossectomy is preferred, where the tongue is removed completely. This aggressive form of treatment is mostly the last option given to the patient’s whose tongue cancer is observed to be fatal. Any form of surgery is often followed by a reconstructive surgical procedure that involves the reconstruction of the tongue and other facial parts, so that the patient is able to speak normally.

Radiation Therapy for Tongue Cancer Treatment

Radiation therapy is the first preferred option in for the treatment of base tongue cancer, as surgical resection is a difficult procedure in these cases. It can also be given after surgery, if the tumor is found to be small in size. This method can be given internally in the form of radioactive substances or externally in the form of beam of high energy radiations. It is used to kill the cancerous cells that are left behind after surgery or to shrink the size of the original tongue tumor.

Chemotherapy for Tongue Cancer Treatment

Chemotherapy is mostly given in advanced cases, where the cancerous cells have spread to the nearby lymph nodes or the neck and cannot be removed using a surgical procedure. It can also be given in early stages, in case of oral tongue cancer, prior to surgery. The most commonly prescribed chemotherapy combination in such cases is 5-Fluorouracil and cisplatin. In other cases, chemotherapy is given using a combination of other drugs administered either intravenously or orally. Although there are many side effects of oral chemotherapy, most of them can be managed by medicines prescribed by the doctors.

These were some generally followed treatment methods for curing tongue cancer. Any of these methods of treatment for tongue cancer cures tongue cancer effectively.