Overview
Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral tongue (sometimes called tongue cancer or oral tongue cancer) is a type of cancer that starts in the flat, thin cells lining the surface of the front two-thirds of the tongue — the part you can see when you stick your tongue out. This is different from cancer at the base of the tongue, which is considered part of the throat. It is one of the most common cancers found in the mouth. This cancer typically appears as a sore, lump, or white or red patch on the tongue that does not heal. It may cause pain, difficulty chewing or swallowing, changes in speech, or numbness in the tongue. As the tumor grows, it can spread to nearby lymph nodes in the neck and, in advanced cases, to other parts of the body. The main risk factors include tobacco use (smoking or chewing), heavy alcohol consumption, and poor oral hygiene. In some cases, no clear cause is found, and younger patients without traditional risk factors are increasingly being diagnosed. Treatment usually involves surgery to remove the tumor, sometimes combined with radiation therapy and chemotherapy. The specific treatment plan depends on the size and stage of the cancer. Early detection greatly improves outcomes, so any persistent sore or unusual change on the tongue lasting more than two to three weeks should be evaluated by a doctor or dentist.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
A sore or ulcer on the tongue that does not healA lump or thickened area on the tongueWhite or red patches on the tongueTongue pain or sorenessDifficulty chewing foodDifficulty swallowingChanges in speech or slurred speechNumbness in the tongue or mouthBleeding from the tongue without clear causeEar pain on the same side as the tumorA lump or swelling in the neckUnexplained weight lossBad breath that does not go away
Multifactorial
Caused by a mix of several genes and environmental factors
Adult
Begins in adulthood (age 18 or older)
FDA & Trial Timeline
10 eventsSecond Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University — NA
University Hospital, Strasbourg, France
University of California, San Francisco
Privo Technologies — PHASE2, PHASE3
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center — PHASE2
Cairo University — NA
University of Palermo
Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University — PHASE3
Peking University Hospital of Stomatology — PHASE2
Weijia Fang, MD — PHASE2
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral tongue.
15 clinical trialsare actively recruiting — trials can provide access to cutting-edge therapies.
View clinical trials →Treatment Centers
8 centersBanner University Medical Center - Tucson
📍 Tucson, Arizona
Kingman Regional Medical Center
📍 Kingman, Arizona
CHI Saint Vincent Cancer Center Hot Springs
📍 Hot Springs, Arkansas
University of Arizona Cancer Center-North Campus
📍 Tucson, Arizona
Cancer Center at Saint Joseph's
📍 Phoenix, Arizona
NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital and Fowler Family Cancer Center - Jonesboro
📍 Jonesboro, Arkansas
Mercy Hospital Fort Smith
📍 Fort Smith, Arkansas
Fairbanks Memorial Hospital
📍 Fairbanks, Alaska
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral tongue.
Community
No community posts yet. Be the first to share your experience with Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral tongue.
Start the conversation →Latest news about Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral tongue
Disease timeline:
New recruiting trial: A Study of Radiation Therapy After Surgery in People With Oral Tongue Squamous Cell Carcinoma
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral tongue
New recruiting trial: Postoperative Radiotherapy for Early-stage Oral Tongue Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients With Risk Factors: a Prospective, Multicenter, Randomized Controlled, Open-labelled Trial
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral tongue
New recruiting trial: Window Trial of Fluorescently Labeled Panitumumab (Panitumumab-IRDye800) in Head and Neck Cancer
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral tongue
New recruiting trial: Assessment of the Effect of Tumor Thickness and Site on Level IV Cervical Lymph Nodes in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Tongue and Floor of the Mouth: A Case Series Study
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral tongue
New trial: Testing the Timing of Pembrolizumab Alone or With Chemotherapy as First Line Treatment and Maintenan
Phase PHASE3 trial recruiting. Biospecimen Collection
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.What is the exact stage of my tongue cancer, and what does that mean for my treatment options?,Will I need surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, or a combination, and what are the risks of each?,How will treatment affect my ability to speak, eat, and swallow, and what rehabilitation is available?,Am I a candidate for immunotherapy or targeted therapy?,What is the chance that the cancer will come back, and how will you monitor for recurrence?,Are there clinical trials available that I should consider?,What support services are available for nutrition, speech therapy, and emotional well-being during and after treatment?
Common questions about Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral tongue
What is Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral tongue?
Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral tongue (sometimes called tongue cancer or oral tongue cancer) is a type of cancer that starts in the flat, thin cells lining the surface of the front two-thirds of the tongue — the part you can see when you stick your tongue out. This is different from cancer at the base of the tongue, which is considered part of the throat. It is one of the most common cancers found in the mouth. This cancer typically appears as a sore, lump, or white or red patch on the tongue that does not heal. It may cause pain, difficulty chewing or swallowing, changes in speech, or n
How is Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral tongue inherited?
Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral tongue follows a multifactorial inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral tongue typically begin?
Typical onset of Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral tongue is adult. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.
Are there clinical trials for Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral tongue?
Yes — 15 recruiting clinical trials are currently listed for Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral tongue on UniteRare. See the clinical trials section on this page for phase, sponsor, and site details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.
Which specialists treat Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral tongue?
25 specialists and care centers treating Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral tongue are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.