Oral cancer is a growth of malignant cells in any part of the oral cavity, which includes the lips, gums, tongue, cheeks, floor or roof of the mouth, and tonsils. The most common site is the lip, followed by the tongue, and then other locations. Symptoms vary depending on the location of the cancer but usually include ulcerations that are initially painless. In more advanced stages the cancer spreads, most often to the lymph nodes in the neck or under the jaw. Treatment depends on the location and stage of the malignancy and the age and overall health of the patient, but it usually involves surgery, radiation, or both. Prognosis is good if the cancer is detected and treated before it has spread. In most cases lip cancer is very treatable because it is easier to detect, while prognosis for a larger tongue cancer is not as good, particularly if the lesion is near the rear of the mouth and hard to see. Oral cancers account for about 4 percent of all cancers. Risk increases with age; the majority of cases occur in people over age 45, with men at nearly twice the risk as women.

Symptoms of Oral Cancers

• A mucous membrane lesion or ulcerations in some area of the mouth that persist or worsen over time. In early stages such lesions are often painless.
• In more advanced cases, difficulty speaking, eating, and swallowing.
• Bad breath.
• Abnormal sense of taste.
• An enlarging growth on the lip that crusts over and bleeds when the crust is removed.
• A sore throat or burning sensation in the mouth during advanced stages, especially when eating or drinking.
• White patches (leukoplakia) or velvety red patches (erythroplakia); these must be watched carefully and biopsied because they may be precancerous.

What Causes Oral Cancers