Tongue cancer begins as a growth of cancerous cells on the tongue. If the cancer begins from the mouth, it is called oral tongue cancer. On the contrary, if the cancer begins from the throat then it is called oropharyngeal cancer. The most common type of tongue cancer is squamous cell carcinoma that lines the tongue surface. Your doctor will consider the type of cancer you are suffering from before planning your treatment. The treatment may involve radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy as well as surgery. 

Risks factors 

There are a few factors that might increase your chances of suffering from tongue cancer or put you at risk for the same. 

• Alcohol and tobacco consumption- The consumption of tobacco and alcohol is a very crucial factor responsible for your tongue cancer. This might include cigarettes, pipes, snuff, and heavy drinking. If you are consuming both for a long time, you are at a very high risk of suffering from tongue cancer.
• Age and gender: Males are at a higher risk of suffering from tongue cancer in comparison to females. Further, those above the age of 45 years and consuming alcohol and/or tobacco may suffer from tongue cancer.
• Exposure to HPV: HPV is getting very common these days and may make you prone to varying types of medical conditions. Many patients of HPV suffer from tongue cancer in their throat for obvious reasons.

Treatment for tongue cancer

The usual treatment for tongue cancer includes radiation therapy, chemotherapy, combination of both, and surgery. Your doctor will thoroughly evaluate your condition before determining the right treatment for you. Robotic glossectomy is also a better option which is preferred by most patients these days. 

Robotic glossectomy

Robotic glossectomy is a minimally invasive robotic surgery that helps remove the cancerous tumours of the throat and mouth. The surgery offers the benefit of eliminating the need for chemotherapy and radiation therapy for cancer patients. Ultimately, the patients get saved from suffering the side effects that happen due to these therapies. Further, it is known that tongue surgeries are not an easy thing to undergo. One goes through a lot of distress as well as discomfort when it comes to undergoing a tongue surgery. So, robotic surgeries prove a boon to patients who are eligible for the same and don’t want to experience the side effects. 

Sohana Hospital has the most experienced surgeons who can perform the traditional deep seated tongue surgeries with proficiency. They employ advanced technology like robotic arms to perform tongue surgeries.