3 subtle signs of tongue cancer as Top Chef alum Shirley Chung shares cancer update

Shirley Chung is serving up more than Michelin-star meals, she’s delivering news of her most recent major triumph — defeating tongue cancer.Last summer, the “Top Chef” alum announced she had been diagnosed with stage 4 tongue cancer, after doctors found a “hidden tumor” on her tongue.

Recently, she took to Instagram with the happy update that she is now in remission.“I just completed my 6 month scans, I can proudly say, no cancer cell was detected in my body, I am in 100% Remission!!,” Chung wrote.

“I am still healing, learning to speak again and started to have solid food 2 meals a day.Dr Vokes said I need to continue to get tests and scans for 2 years, then I will be officially cured.

But I am feeling great, and can’t wait to get back to life!”She also shared some details of her journey, which included needing to make the terrifying decision of whether to try radiation and chemotherapy treatment or the option that had a higher survival rate — cutting out her entire tongue.The tumor “was progressing so aggressively that in less than 1 week of the diagnosis, it took over almost my entire tongue,” she wrote, noting that “100% removal of my tongue was not an option for me as a chef.”So she moved to Chicago to begin treatment and is now in recovery.

Tongue cancer, a type of oral cancer, can be easy to miss in its early stages — and that’s exactly why it can be so dangerous.According to the Mayo Clinic, three subtle symptoms include: A small sore on the tongue that doesn’t heal within two weeks may be more than just a bite injury.Especially if it’s painless, this can be an early red flag.Tingling, burning or numbness in the tongue or mouth can sometimes signal nerve involvement.

Even mild discomfort that lingers should raise concern.A white or red patch, thickening of the tongue, or a rough surface can be a warning sign.These subtle shifts are easy to dismiss — but shouldn’t be.Another early symptom can be a painful lump...