is tongue cancer curable?

Hi Anon - Thanks for writing and seeking information. The survival rate for oral cancers depends in large part on the stage of the cancer at diagnosis, response to treatment and overall health. Have you discussed this with your doctors?

The answer to your question will also depend on whether the cancer was confined to your tongue, or if it had spread. Unfortunately, according to the Oral Cancer Foundation, the death rate for oral cancer is higher than that of cancers which we hear about routinely such as cervical cancer.The reason for this is that oral cancers are typically found late in their development. Often it is only discovered when the cancer has metastasized to another location, most likely the lymph nodes of the neck. Prognosis at this stage of discovery is significantly worse than when it is caught in a localized intra oral area.

The Oral Cancer Foundation has a support forum where you can talk online with other tongue cancer patients. I hope you will look into this as often the information from other patients is the most valuable in learning how to live with cancer in our everyday lives. http://oralcancerfoundation.org/forum/index.htm

Your next steps may include reconstructive surgery and a rehabilitation program. The Mayo Clinic provides information about how these services help patients with tongue cancer:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/tongue-cancer/

Mayo also has an inspiring story about a man who survived tongue cancer and is doing well today. You can find the story here:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/patientstories/story-371.html

I know what you're dealing with isn't easy and hope this information helps. Will you let us know more about you and how you're doing? Please also let us know if you have additional questions.

Take good care,
Pat