Cancer of the tongue

Squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue is the most common intraoral malignancy. It may be preceded by visible precursor lesions showing hyperkeratosis, erythroplakia or a combination of these conditions. The clinical appearance is highly variable, and ranges from asymptomatic white patches to large fungating, infiltrating lesions. Earlier detection of squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue should improve survival rates for this malignancy, which have not appreciably increased over the past several decades. The oral cavity is an accessible site and the dentist has an important role to play in early detection.