TONGUE TIED
A MAN who went to the doctor with growths covering his tongue discovered it was an early cancer warning sign.
The 59-year-old, who had skin cancer three years earlier, had gone to a dermatology clinic for a routine check-up.
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During examination, the medic noted that his tongue was covered in papillomas - benign lumps caused by an overgrowth of tissue on the outer surface of the skin.
He explained that they had been there for years, according to a report in the New England Journal of Medicine.
His face and chest were also covered in multiple skin tags and he had wart-like pimples on his hands and feet.
The man, who was not identified, also had macrocephaly - or an abnormally large head - benign gastrointestinal polyps and thyroid nodules.
Higher cancer risk
He said members of his family also had the same conditions.
Given the patient's personal and family medical history, the doctor suspected he had Cowden syndrome - an inherited condition characterised by multiple, non-cancerous growths on various parts of the body.
He was sent for further testing, which revealed a mutation in the tumour suppressor gene PTEN, putting him at higher risk of developing cancer.
Almost everyone with the condition develops hamartomas - growths that are most commonly found on the skin, the lining of the mouth and nose but also in the intestine.
The growths tend to become apparent by the time a person is in their late twenties.
Those diagnosed with Cowden are at an increased lifetime risk of developing certain cancers, especially in younger age.
The man will continue to undergo routine check-ups while his family were referred for genetic testing.
'Your tongue is the window to your health'
People have long believe that the tongue can reveal clues about your overall health.
Tongue reading has been used for more than 2,000 years to diagnose conditions.
In fact, in Chinese medicine it's thought your tongue is the "window" to your inner health.
Trained nurse Emilia Herting and qualified herbalist Maeve O'Sullivan, who run a health retreat inspired by Chinese medicine, say every person's tongue is unique.
"The tongue is a microcosm of the entire body, and by looking at the shape, colour, coating and texture, you are able to see any excess and deficiencies in the body," the pair said.
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They said different parts of the tongue, correspond to different parts of the body.
The tip can reveal clues about your heart and lungs, while the centre can hint at tummy troubles.
The sides tell us about the liver and gallbladder, while the back is linked to the kidney, bladder and intestines, it's claimed.
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