A sweet Tooth’s Warning: How Tongue Tingling Led to a Cancer Diagnosis
A seemingly minor symptom – a tingling sensation on the tongue while enjoying sweets – ultimately led 45-year-old hazel Smith, from near Belfast, Northern ireland, to a diagnosis of tongue cancer. She’s now sharing her story to raise awareness about the importance of investigating even subtle changes in oral health.
Smith first noticed the tingling when consuming stimulating foods like potato chips and Chinese chicken curry in 2024. The sensation, lasting around ten minutes, initially appeared harmless and was dismissed as a possible allergy or food intolerance.Though, the tingling persisted with other foods, including chocolate and tomatoes, prompting her to seek medical attention. A biopsy revealed abnormal cells, leading to a diagnosis of tongue cancer that had already spread to her lymph nodes.
Doctors informed Smith her five-year survival rate was only 50%. She underwent a seven-hour surgery to remove the cancerous lymph nodes, followed by re-operation and radiation therapy. Thankfully, by November 2024, the cancer was successfully removed.
“It would have been later if I thought it was a simple allergic reaction,” Smith stated, emphasizing that the early, subtle pain during eating proved to be the crucial factor in her early detection. She is now planning a skydive for the ‘Action Cancer’ donation campaign to share her experience and encourage others to be vigilant about their health.
Tongue Cancer: Early Detection is Key
Tongue cancer is a type of oral cancer affecting the front two-thirds of the tongue.Risk factors include smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, poor oral hygiene, and infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV).
Symptoms can include persistent ulcers, red or white patches on the tongue, a lump, or unexplained bleeding. While tingling or burning sensations can occur with tongue cancer, they can also be associated with other conditions like oral burning syndrome.
In South Korea, the incidence of oral cancers, including tongue cancer, is steadily increasing. According to 2021 data from the Ministry of health and Welfare and the Central Cancer Registration Headquarters, 3,866 new cases of lips, oral cavity, and pharyngeal cancer were reported, with an age-standardized rate of 7.9 per 100,000 people. The average annual increase in incidence from 1999 to 2021 was 1.4%.
early detection significantly improves the chances of successful treatment, often through surgery alone. Though, if the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes, the prognosis worsens, and the five-year survival rate decreases. Therefore, any oral changes lasting longer than two weeks should be evaluated by a medical professional, and regular oral examinations, alongside lifestyle modifications like smoking cessation and reduced alcohol intake, are crucial for prevention and early detection.
