Hi there,

Are there any other members who have had tongue cancer early on in their life?

I had cancer and had most of the surgery when I was 29 and celebrated my 30th birhtday just before having a week of brachytherapy (not a good present!). I feel dismayed to have such a potentially serious health issue at this stage.

I did think I might have a slightly higher risk of cancer than people my age my mother died of cancer (different type) in her early sixties, but I thought it would come later rather than sooner.

It would be great to hear from someone in their 20s or 30s who has had similar tongue cancer experiences to see how they coped.

Also, I came accross a study carried out recently in Ireland which noted an increase in the number of young non smoking women with tongue cancer, and I am interested in why this happens. My doctor had no idea.

Eilish

I was 32 when diagnosed and had all my treatments at that age.

I had no risk factors: Never smoked, dipped, used anything with tobacco, don't drink alcohol. They even tested for HPV and it was negative. Only thing they said that has a remote chance of causing my cancer was that I had adult braces and one of the rubber band hooks but my tongue a few times close to the spot I developed cancer. A repetative injury can sometimes lead to cancer but they thought it was highly unlikely that was the cause and of course could not prove it.

Jim

Interesting, I had adult braces too and one cancer specialist made some comments to the effect that the original ulcer may have been provoked by rubbing from a particular tooth which was out of line. I was also tested for HPV but it was negative.

You are alright now?

Eilish

Just past 4 years all clear and everything looks normal. Waiting for the fifth to be all clear this December

Jim

Eilish,

I was 39 when I was diagnosed. I'm a non-smoker and social drinker, and because my doctors considered me not to be at risk for oral cancer, they delayed much too long in dealing with it, even though I repeatedly asked why the lesion wouldn't go away. I've never known for sure what caused the cancer -- back when I had it, HPV wasn't known to be a factor, so I wasn't tested for it (although my cervical exams have never indicated the presence of HPV). I do know that the site of the tumor was a spot on my tongue that was frequently irritated by a sharp tooth. From what I've read over the years, I think several studies have discounted the notion that chronic irritation can contribute to it, but I'm still not convinced.

In any event, that was almost 18 years ago. Thankfully, my medical team pushed for aggressive treatment, and so far it has been a success.

I'm glad to hear you're recovering well at this point. Please keep us posted on how you're doing.

Cathy

Wow. I'm *really* not convinced about the irritation thing not being a factor now, hearing these other stories. I was diagnosed when I was 46 but the spot on my tongue that turned into cancer had been chronically irritated by a sharp tooth as well. This worries me since I actually have spots in my mouth now that are being irritated by teeth but my dentist can't get back to the tooth to smooth it because of my trismus. Yikes.

I did not have tongue cancer......my lesion was on the gums of my upper jaw and spread to the hard palate.....but I, too, had adult braces and am prone to aphthous ulcers and injure easily. I am not convinced that there is nothing to the "repeated irritation" theory of causation. I smoked 37 years ago....never drank enough to count...have NO cancer in my family.....tested neg. for HPV.

I have a young woman friend who had tongue cancer in her mid-20-s, while she was in med. school. She had surgery, and they worried about her speech and her salivation from radiation. She is just fine now...is a practicing ob-gyn dr. and the mother of three young children.

Eilish, I've heard the incidence is growing in younger people and there have been several posters in their 20's or early 30's on this forum. Jack is not a youngster, he was 55 when diagnosed, but his tumor was positive for the HPV 16 virus and he's a non smoker too.

If you do a search on this forum you will find a lot of information on this viral connection. For us it answered the why question. Perhaps this is something you could look into.

It's very unnerving to be diagnosed with such a serious illness at a young age. This is not what you expect to be dealing with and frankly it seems more unfair than for those of us that have had those extra years. Unfortunately, cancer is an equal opportunity illness and HNC is on the rise.

There isn't a good reason on why some people get to deal with things and some do not - at any age. It just happens and it can make us stronger or bitter - our choice. In the end there are no guarantees in life, and we need to make the most of every day we have.

I hope that the HBO treatments are helping and that you're going to be done with this cancer for good. Where are those stupid leprechauns when you really need them?

Regards JoAnne

Redser,

I'm not a youngster, but I'll add my 2 cents.

I was taught in dental school many, many years ago that constant irritation can cause cellular changes that can lead to cancer. I have warned my patients about this over the years.

After developing SCC on the side of my tongue and having no risk factors, I decided to find some research that showed a relationship. I have had no success in this search. I've spoken to many people in the field and there is no conclusive evidence.

However, I strongly believe that mine developed as the result of a habit I developed of rubbing my tongue on a crowned tooth. Pretty stupid for someone that should know better. With that being said and needing to have a reason, I am convinced that chronic irritation can do this.

Jerry