When dealing with a rare cancer, like base of the tongue cancer, you’ll want the most innovative and expert care available to help you treat the disease while maintaining your quality of life.
At the OSUCCC – James in Columbus, Ohio, we take a careful multidisciplinary approach to diagnosing, assessing and developing a personalized treatment plan for people with base of the tongue cancer. We believe that a high level of care is vital to being successful in managing this complex disease.
Our head and neck oncologists and surgeons have expert training and experience in treating cancer that affects the base of the tongue. If you or a loved one suspect you have base of the tongue cancer or you’ve recently been diagnosed with it, where you go for care matters.
What is base of the tongue cancer?
The base of the tongue starts in the back of your throat and includes the back third of your tongue. It’s part of the oropharynx, which connects the mouth to the larynx. When abnormal cells grow on the base of the tongue, it could develop into cancer.
Base of the tongue cancer is considered a head and neck cancer, and it’s almost always a squamous cell carcinoma, meaning it develops in the squamous cells that line the larynx. Though most tongue base cancers are squamous cell carcinomas, other types can occur.
This type of cancer is rare and better outcomes are associated with earlier detection. While symptoms can be nonspecific, it’s important to talk to your doctor about any changes that have occurred in your mouth.
Tongue cancer versus base of the tongue cancer
The main difference between tongue cancer and base of the tongue cancer is the location of diseased cells. Tongue cancer occurs in the front two-thirds of the tongue while base of the tongue cancer affects the back portion of the tongue near the throat.
Because of this, symptoms can vary. Often, symptoms of tongue cancer are much more visible and easier to identify, whereas symptoms of base of the tongue cancer can be nondescript, such as a sore throat. Base of the tongue cancer is more frequently diagnosed at a more advanced stage because it often doesn’t show symptoms.
Both diseases may require different treatments, too, depending on staging. Because of its location, base of the tongue cancer may be more suitable for nonsurgical treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiation.
Base of the tongue cancer causes and risk factors
Base of the tongue cancer is caused by abnormal cells developing on the back of the tongue. We don’t entirely understand why this happens, but there are certain factors that could put you at an increased risk for the disease. It’s important to remember that just because you have one or more risk factors does not mean you will get base of the tongue cancer.
Risk factors for base of the tongue cancer include:
- Infection of the human papillomavirus (HPV), especially HPV-16
- Smoking or tobacco use
- Heavy alcohol use
In years past, most base of the tongue cancers could be attributed to tobacco or alcohol. While cancer related to those substances has been on the decline, HPV-related cancer of the base of the tongue has been steadily on the rise. Fortunately, those with HPV-related tongue cancer tend to have improved prognosis and better responses to treatment.
Base of the tongue symptoms
Early symptoms of base of the tongue cancer are often nonspecific and difficult to identify. If you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms, you should mention it to your doctor.
Symptoms can include:
- Lumps in the back of your mouth
- Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
- Ear pain
- Unexplained weight loss
- Difficulty moving tongue
- White or red patches on back of tongue
- Mass in neck
- Changes in voice, such as hoarseness
Diagnosis and treatment of base of the tongue cancer
To diagnose base of the tongue cancer, one or more of the following diagnostic tools may be used:
- Computed tomography (CT) scan
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- Positron emission tomography (PET) scan
- Laryngoscopy
- Biopsy
- Blood test for circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA)
After a diagnosis is confirmed, the head and neck oncology experts at the OSUCCC – James will develop a personalized treatment plan.
Our recommended treatments will consider your cancer type and stage, the location of the tumor, your overall health and goals for treatment. We’ll also test for the presence of HPV as that can change the course of treatment. You’ll have access to various therapies, including clinical trials, not always available elsewhere since we’re a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center.
Treatment options include:
Nonsurgical treatments
- Radiation – high-energy rays, such as X-rays, used to kill remaining cancer cells after surgery or treat inoperable tumors
- Chemotherapy – medications that destroy cancer cells or keep them from spreading; often used before or alongside radiation or surgery
- Chemoradiation – when chemotherapy and radiation are used at the same time to attack cancer cells (often abbreviated CRT)
Surgical treatments
- Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) – This surgery is used to remove cancer from areas of the throat that may be difficult to reach. Cameras are attached to a robot and produce three dimensional images that specialized surgeons can see. A surgeon uses special controls with small tools at the end of the robot’s arms to remove the tumor.
- Laryngectomy – a surgery to remove the larynx box, if the cancer has spread beyond the base of the tongue
- Neck dissection – a surgery to remove lymph nodes, if the cancer has spread there
- Reconstructive surgery – surgical procedures to repair or rebuild parts of the mouth that were impacted by cancer-removing surgeries
If you’ve been diagnosed with base of tongue cancer or would like a second opinion, please call The James Line at 800-293-5066 or 614-293-5066 to make an appointment.
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