Tongue cancer is a type of mouth/oral cancer that usually will develop on the surface of the tongue. Typical symptoms can include lesions or tumours on the tongue and also neck swelling.  The person may experience hoarseness and have difficulty moving their jaw or tongue. People have also reported pain when swallowing and a sensation of something lodged in their throat. Other symptoms can include bleeding on the tongue without any reason.  The cancer can also occur in the throat, more so at the base of the tongue (hypopharyngeal tongue cancer) and this can have few symptoms in the early stage.  Statistics in Ireland show that over 700 cases are diagnosed every year in Ireland for oral cancer so it is not relatively uncommon. It is the 6^th most common cancer in the world and tends to develop in males more so than females.  Diagnosis usually requires a biopsy of the tumour to properly diagnose.  Various radiological examinations such as CT scan or MRI scan can be used to help diagnosis as well as a PET scan to detect any tumour growth and treatment can include surgery to remove the cancer along with chemotherapy, radiation therapy and targeted drug therapy.  Thankfully the prognosis for tongue cancer is generally quite good but much will depend on how early it is identified and treated appropriately. Various complications can arise following treatments such as difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), and the person’s speech can also be affected particularly if more radical treatment is given such as removal of part or all the tongue (glossectomy).

For a successful medical negligence claim it would be required to show that the delay in diagnosing tongue cancer caused the disease to progress and spread where it otherwise may not have.  The usual failures we would know of can include a failure to take a complete and accurate history with the patient, either by the GP and/or the consultant surgeon a failure by the GP to refer to an appropriate specialist, and an error in interpreting the various investigations and tests, which in turn lead to a delay in the diagnosis of the cancer.

Our tongue cancer misdiagnosis solicitors

If you or a loved one have suffered harm because of negligent delay or misdiagnosis of tongue cancer, then you may be able to make a claim for compensation. It is important you seek advice as soon as possible to protect your legal rights. We believe in putting you our client first and we are committed to achieving the best result possible while all the time remaining sensitive to your needs. Please feel free to reach out to us below and will be pleased to discuss your case and offer no obligation advice.

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