Tongue cancer causes

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]

Overview[edit | edit source]

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[edit | edit source]

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[edit | edit source]

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