Toothache or Ticking Time Bomb: The Shocking Discovery of Advanced Tongue Cancer in a 70-Year-Old Woman – 5 High-Risk Groups to Watch Out For
70-Year-Old Woman’s ‘Toothache’ Turns Out to Be Advanced Tongue Cancer
A 70-year-old woman from Hanoi, Vietnam, was taken to the dental clinic by her son, who thought she had a toothache. However, doctors found a tumor on her tongue, and biopsy results confirmed malignant cancer.
The patient had a history of meningitis and hypertension, and due to her increasing age, she also suffered from age-related dementia. She often complained of pain in her mouth, which her family thought was a toothache. However, after a check-up at the dental clinic, doctors discovered abnormalities that led them to suspect tongue cancer.
Dr. Nguyen Hong Nung, an oral and maxillofacial specialist, revealed that the patient was hospitalized for chronic oral pain and had taken medicine on her own, but the symptoms did not improve. After discovering a 6-centimeter tumor in her mouth, doctors performed a biopsy and diagnosed her with tongue cancer.
The tumor had spread to the back of the tongue, the base of the tongue, and the left floor of the mouth. The surface of the tumor was scarred, pitted, and irregular, and it had also spread to the lymph nodes under the left jaw.
Understanding Tongue Cancer
According to Dr. Nguyen Hong Nung, tongue cancer is one of the most common types of oral cancer and is life-threatening. While there is no definitive conclusion about the main causes of tongue cancer, there are certain risk groups that are more likely to develop the disease.
5 High-Risk Groups for Developing Tongue Cancer
- People who have a long history of drinking alcohol and smoking
- People with poor oral hygiene
- People with poor eating habits
- People with unsafe oral sex habits
- People with inherited cancer genes
Dr. Nguyen Hong Nung explains that the early symptoms of tongue cancer are often unclear and can be confused with other oral diseases, making it difficult to detect in the early stages. Many patients are diagnosed with the disease when the cancer is in an advanced stage, which makes treatment more difficult.
If you experience any abnormal symptoms on your tongue, cheeks, or in your mouth, it is essential to seek medical attention immediately. Regular cancer screening is also recommended for high-risk groups to detect the disease early.
In the case of the 70-year-old woman, her dementia made it difficult for her to remember the location of the pain, which led to a delayed diagnosis. The tumor had grown larger than 4 centimeters and had spread to the muscles, blood vessels, and tissue around the tongue. The best treatment option was to surgically remove the tumor and the entire affected area, followed by reconstructive surgery using microsurgery.