Speaking difficulties
Ulcerating lesions, a large tumor mass, and inflammatory changes in the lesions cause difficulty to open and close the mouth and impair the normal movement of the tongue, leading to speech problems. Carcinoma of tongue can also cause a slurred speech because the patient cannot move the tongue properly, and protrude it due to persistent pain. In some cases, the tumor can even cause ankyloglossia (immobility of the tongue).