Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Tongue cancer causes
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Tongue cancer is caused by a point mutation in the tumor suppressor gene (TP53). The other oncogenes associated with oral squamous cell cancers of tongue include c-myc and erb -b1.
Causes
Causes
The main cause of tongue cancer is genetic mutations due to precancerous lesions or chronic inflammation as follows:[1]
- The mutations in tumor suppressor genes has been reported in patients with cancers of the oral cavity.
- The most abundant carcinogens in tobacco constitute nitrosamines. Nitrosamines can damage DNA, leading to point mutations.
- These point mutations lead to deregulation of tumor suppressor genes (TP53), which is located on chromosome 17.
- The other oncogenes associated with oral squamous cell cancers of tongue include c-myc and erb -b1.
- Tobacco exposure causes progressive sequential histological changes to the oral mucosa.
- Prolonged period of exposure eventually leads to neoplastic transformation, in particular changes in the expression of p53 mutations.
References
References
- ↑ Abbas NF, Labib El-Sharkawy S, Abbas EA, Abdel Monem El-Shaer M (2007). “Immunohistochemical study of p53 and angiogenesis in benign and preneoplastic oral lesions and oral squamous cell carcinoma”. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod. 103 (3): 385–90. doi:10.1016/j.tripleo.2005.11.008. PMID 17321451.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Simrat Sarai, M.D. [2] Mohammed Abdelwahed M.D[3]