Tongue cancer and floor of mouth cancer can both cause cancerous lesions under your tongue. Surgery is the main treatment. Oral cancers like these can spread quickly, so early diagnosis and treatment are vital.
Oral cancer is a type of cancer that begins in your mouth. Cancer can develop at any location in your mouth, including under your tongue.
Cancer under the tongue can occur on the underside of the tongue itself or on the floor of the mouth.
It’s also possible for other conditions to cause lesions or lumps under your tongue. While these may appear concerning, they’re typically benign (noncancerous).
This article covers the types of cancer that can develop under your tongue, what to look for, and how doctors diagnose and treat these cancers. It also discusses other noncancerous conditions that may be mistaken for cancer.
There are two types of oral cancer that can happen under your tongue: tongue cancer and floor of mouth cancer.
Tongue cancer
Tongue cancer is a type of oral cancer that affects the
The tongue is a common site for oral cancer. The
Floor of mouth cancer
Floor of mouth cancer is a type of oral cancer that develops on the tissue under your tongue. This is called the floor of the mouth.
It’s also a common site for oral cancer. A
Potential symptoms of cancer under the tongue include:
Oral cancer may also have spread into the lymph nodes in your neck. This may cause them to swell and lead to a lump in your neck that you can feel.
Cancer under your tongue happens when cells in this area begin growing out of control. This happens due to DNA changes that affect cell growth and division. These changes can be present from birth or acquired during your lifetime.
Most oral cancers, including tongue and floor of mouth cancers, are
The exact cause of oral cancers like tongue and floor of mouth cancer is unknown. However, there are several factors known to increase the risk.
Smoking or chewing tobacco products and heavy alcohol consumption are the major risk factors for tongue and floor of mouth cancer. People with both of these risk factors have a risk of cancer that’s
Other factors that may increase the risk of under-tongue cancer include:
- having a human papillomavirus (HPV) infection
- advanced age
- being assigned male at birth
The exact treatment you receive for cancer under your tongue can depend on factors like:
- whether the cancer is on your tongue or the floor of your mouth
- the extent (stage) of the cancer
- the size of the tumor
- your age and overall health
- your personal preference
Generally, surgery is the
- Wide local excision: The tumor and a small area of healthy tissue are removed.
- Glossectomy: Some or all of the tongue is removed.
- Mandibulectomy: If the cancer has grown into the jawbone, some or all of the jawbone is removed.
- Lymph node dissection: Lymph nodes that may contain cancer are removed.
Radiation therapy, with or without chemotherapy, may be done after surgery to help get rid of remaining cancer cells. This type of treatment may also be a main treatment option for people who cannot or choose not to have surgery.
If cancer has spread to more distant tissues (metastasis), treatment may include:
Visit a doctor if you have symptoms of under-tongue cancer, such as:
- a persistent lump, sore, or ulcer under your tongue
- unexplained bleeding or numbness in your mouth
- pain or trouble moving your tongue, speaking, or swallowing
The
To diagnose cancer or another lesion under your tongue, a doctor will first get your medical history. They will ask about:
- your symptoms and how long you’ve had them
- any underlying health conditions
- your personal and family medical history
- your history of using tobacco products or alcohol
- any medications, prescription or over-the-counter, that you’re taking
They will then closely examine the inside of your mouth and under your tongue. They may also feel your neck for swollen lymph nodes.
To confirm or rule out a diagnosis of cancer, a biopsy is needed. This is done by removing a small area of tissue from under your tongue and checking it in a lab for signs of cancer. A biopsy also helps doctors determine the type of cancer you may have.
If cancer is found, your doctor will want to do more tests to learn whether it has spread. This typically includes imaging tests, like:
If you have an unexplained lesion under your tongue, it may not be cancer. Some benign conditions that can cause similar symptoms include:
- an injury to your mouth
- lie bumps
- canker sores
- oral herpes (cold sores)
- thrush
- cysts, such as a mucocele, ranula, or lymphoepithelial cyst
- squamous papilloma (tongue wart)
- geographic tongue
Conditions called leukoplakia and erythroplakia can also have similar symptoms to under-tongue cancer. Unlike the conditions listed above, these are considered to be precancerous conditions. This means they have the potential to develop into cancer.
The outlook for people with under-tongue cancer is best when the cancer is diagnosed and treated early before it has the chance to spread further. This is particularly important for oral cancers, as they tend to
Due to this, it’s important to visit a doctor if you notice a concerning spot under your tongue.
The table below shows the 5-year relative survival rates for tongue cancer and floor of mouth cancer by stage, according to the National Cancer Institute.
The relative survival rate is a comparison of the survival of people who have a specific condition with those who do not have the condition over a specific period of time (5 years).
| Tongue cancer | Floor of mouth cancer | |
|---|---|---|
| Localized to mouth | 86.4% | 71.8% |
| Regional spread to lymph nodes | 70.1% | 42.1% |
| Distant spread (metastasis) | 39.7% | 22.8% |
| All stages | 70.4% | 52.1% |
These survival rates include many people with cancer over a long period of time. Due to this, they don’t account for individual factors or for recent treatment advances.
Continue reading for answers to some additional frequently asked questions about under-tongue cancer.
Where does cancer under your tongue spread to?
Under-tongue cancer can spread locally to the lymph nodes. The
It’s also possible for cancers to spread from somewhere else to the mouth, but this is rare. A
Is cancer under your tongue curable?
Yes, under-tongue cancer is curable. If found early, it’s possible for cancer under your tongue to be completely removed using surgery, with or without radiation therapy. Early stage cancers are smaller and haven’t yet spread into surrounding tissue, so they are easier to treat.
There are two types of oral cancer that can happen under your tongue: tongue cancer and floor of mouth cancer. Tobacco use and heavy alcohol consumption are the two major risk factors for these cancers.
The treatment for under-tongue cancer typically involves surgery, with or without radiation therapy. Other treatments like chemotherapy and targeted therapy may be used if the cancer has spread further.
Oral cancer tends to spread quickly. Because of this, it’s vital to visit a doctor if you have any lesions under your tongue, especially if the lesion doesn’t go away or bleeds, or you have pain when moving your tongue or speaking. The sooner under-tongue cancer is diagnosed, the better your chances of a good outcome.