Are small red spots on the tongue a sign of tongue cancer?
Disease description:
A few days ago, my tongue started to hurt quite a bit. When I looked in the mirror, I noticed many small red dots on it. They haven't gone away for several days, and I'm a bit worried it might be tongue cancer. I'd like to ask—could small red dots on the tongue be a sign of tongue cancer?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Zhang Liwen
Red spots on the tongue are generally not a sign of tongue cancer. Consuming spicy and irritating foods such as chili peppers, pepper, and garlic may cause capillary congestion in the tongue area. Symptoms usually resolve spontaneously after drinking sufficient water, so patients need not worry excessively. However, if a patient has dental misalignment or supernumerary teeth causing excessive friction against the tip of the tongue, this may lead to red spots. In such cases, it is recommended that the patient seek medical evaluation at a hospital.
