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Tongue cancer

Tongue cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the cells of the tongue. Tongue cancer usually originates in the flat cells on the outside of your tongue. These tumors are also called squamous cell carcinomas. If tongue cancer is detected in time, the chance of a cure is high.

Cancer in the oral cavity is not common. That is why only a few specialized hospitals treat this disease, for example the Netherlands Cancer Institute. Tongue cancer is more common in men than in women. Most are then over 55 to 64 years old.

On this page you can read more about the symptoms, the examinations and the forms of treatment for tongue cancer.

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AVL Head and Neck Cancer Center

In the case of tumours in the head and neck area, you are in good hands at the NKI Head and Neck Cancer Centre. Read more about the center, our specialists, the experiences of our patients and innovations.
Head and Neck Cancer Center

Learn more about tongue cancer

Causes of tongue cancer

Smoking and alcohol increase the risk of tongue cancer.

Symptoms of tongue cancer

Tongue cancer often feels like a hard lump or bump in the mouth. Possible signs and symptoms are: pain in the mouth and difficulty talking or swallowing.

Metastases in tongue cancer

Tongue cancer can spread throughout the body. This is called a metastasis. Tongue cancer usually metastasizes to the lymph nodes in the neck. Sometimes the tumour cells also spread to the lungs, liver or brain.

Diagnosis

To make the diagnosis, the following tests are performed:

Bloedbuisjes

Blood tests
MRI scan

MRI scan
Echografie

Ultrasound
Punctie zoom

Liquid biopsy
Nucleaire geneeskunde pet

PET/CT scan
Biopsie verpleegkundigen

Tissue biopsy

Tongue cancer treatment

The treatment you receive for tongue cancer depends on the type of tumour. Your health and fitness also play a role. The doctor will explain well in advance what is going to happen and you will have plenty of time to ask questions. You will receive one or more of the following treatments:

Radiotherapy for head and neck cancer

Surgery for cancer in the oral cavity and throat

Chemoradiation

Immunotherapy

Chemotherapy

Clinical trials

At the Netherlands Cancer Institute, we are always looking for new treatments. We therefore conduct research in studies to see what is possible. Whether you can participate in such a study depends on many things. Do you have any questions about this? Please feel free to contact your doctor or nurse specialist.

Waiting

We want to inform you as well as possible about the waiting time per condition. We do this based on a prognosis of the current waiting list. The waiting time can vary from patient to patient for various reasons. Your attending physician will give you more information during your outpatient consultation.

  • 4 days

    First appointment

    Your first appointment will be planned within approximately 4 days.

  • 2 days

    Rapid diagnostics

    It will take approximately 2 days before you can start rapid diagnostics

  • 11 days

    Second opinion

    It will take approximately 11 days before you can come in for a second opinion

Read more about making an appointment or second opinion

Make an appointment

Second opinion or transfer

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