Cells virtually anywhere in the body may become cancerous, and the growth of cancerous cells may spread to other areas of the body. According to the American Cancer Society , oral cancer occurs most often in the following sites:. Oral cancer may appear differently based on its stage, location in the mouth, and other factors. Oral cancer may present as:. In the earliest stages of oral cancer, many people experience no symptoms or mistake them for those of another condition.
Regular checkups with the dentist may help identify any early warning signs. Squamous cells are flat cells that cover the surface of the mouth, tongue, and lips. Noticing a patch or thick tissue in these areas may be an early warning sign to see a doctor for a diagnosis. As cancer develops and progresses, a person may notice symptoms such as :. Dysplasia is a term that refers to the abnormal development of cells in tissues or organs.
In adults, an increase in abnormal cell growth may suggest precancer. Possible precancerous conditions for oral cancer may include :. Smoking and chewing tobacco are the most common causes of these conditions. Dysplasia will often go away if a person removes the causes, but there is not always a clear cause. Most cases of leukoplakia do not develop into cancer. Erythroplakia and erythroleukoplakia are less common but usually more serious. Most of these lesions progress into cancer.
There are several types of oral lesions that can be concerning but are not signs of cancer. Exposure to carcinogenic substances can also cause these patches to develop. These patches signal that the tissue is abnormal and can become malignant. However, in most cases it will be benign. The patches may be rough and hard and difficult to scrape off. Leukoplakia generally develops slowly, over a period of weeks or months. You may find erythroplakia anywhere in your mouth, but it occurs most often in the floor of the mouth underneath the tongue or on your gums behind your back teeth.
Check your mouth carefully once a month for any signs of abnormality. Use a magnifying mirror under bright light to get a clear view. Pull your tongue out gently with clean fingers and inspect underneath. Look at the sides of your tongue and the insides of your cheeks, and examine your lips inside and out. Know how to distinguish a canker sore from something more serious.
In the early stages, mouth cancer rarely causes any pain. Abnormal cell growth usually appears as flat patches. A canker sore looks like an ulcer, usually with a depression in the center. The middle of the canker sore may appear white, gray, or yellow, and the edges are red. Canker sores usually heal within two weeks, so any sore, lump, or spot in your mouth that lasts longer needs a professional evaluation. A regular dental checkup twice a year is an important cancer screening tool.
These visits give your dentist the chance to detect any signs of oral cancer in the earliest stages. Prompt treatment reduces the likelihood that precancerous cells will become malignant.
Some studies show that oral sex raises throat cancer risk, while others suggest there is no association. What is the link between oral sex and HPV…. Medullary thyroid cancer MTC is a rare type of thyroid cancer.
The earliest sign of MTC is typically a painless lump in the neck. Later symptoms can…. Mouth, or oral, cancer, can appear in any part of the mouth. Smoking and tobacco use increase the risk. Find out more about how to spot mouth cancer….
What are the early signs of oral cancer? Warning signs and symptoms Causes and risk factors Prevention Why is early detection so important? Takeaway Symptoms of oral cancer include difficulty chewing, lumps and sores, and white or red patches in the mouth. Warning signs and symptoms of oral cancer.
Find out more about how to find an NHS dentist. The outlook for mouth cancer can vary depending on which part of your mouth is affected and whether it has spread from your mouth into surrounding tissue.
The outlook is better for mouth cancer that affects the lip, tongue or oral cavity. If mouth cancer is diagnosed early, a complete cure is often possible in up to 9 in 10 cases using surgery alone.
If the cancer is larger, there's still a good chance of a cure, but surgery should be followed by radiotherapy or a combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
Overall, around 6 in 10 people with mouth cancer will live for at least 5 years after their diagnosis, and many will live much longer without the cancer returning. Mouth cancer is a type of cancer that comes under the umbrella term "cancers of the head and neck". Page last reviewed: 14 October Next review due: 14 October Information: Coronavirus advice Get advice about coronavirus and cancer: Macmillan: Coronavirus guidance for people with cancer Cancer Research UK: Coronavirus and cancer.
Video: mouth cancer In this video, a consultant oral and maxillofacial surgeon, talks about mouth cancer.
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