Posted By: dc "brown tongue" - 07-13-2006 01:17 PM
Just wondering if anyone's heard of brown tongue and if was a pre-curser to their diagnosis to tongue cancer. Any "at home" treatment suggestions appreciated.
Posted By: Gary Re: "brown tongue" - 07-15-2006 03:14 PM
DC,
No - we have never heard of this condition (in relation to head & neck cancer anyway) and you should make an appointment with an ENT or head & neck surgeon. We do not recommend "at home" treatments for undiagnosed conditions.

Actually we try to discourage making any recommendations on diagnosis or treatment - we share our experience, strength and hope. We are not doctors, just patients and caregivers. Whatever suggestion(s) we may make should always be followed up with competent medical intervention. Our primary mission here is to educate the patient and caregivers to be their own medical advocate.
Posted By: Pittsburgh Jim Re: "brown tongue" - 07-16-2006 11:00 PM
I actually stumbled across this condition while looking for info on the net for my own little slice of post-cancer heaven.
Just a simple google on "brown tongue" will get you some decent facts.
"Black tongue results from overgrowth of the filiform papillae on the dorsum of the tongue. The discolouration is due to the accumulation of keratin."
Since I'm not a doc, maybe there's someone out here that can help define that for us.

Jim
Posted By: Brian Hill Re: "brown tongue" - 07-17-2006 08:02 PM
Black hairy tongue (not brown tongue) has been discussed on these boards before, just do a search for the thread. There is no relationship between this rather common oral condition and oral cancer.
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