What Is Oral Cancer?
Oral cancer is a type of head and neck cancer. It has no single fixed location in the mouth and can appear anywhere in the mouth and lips, including the tissues of the tongue, gums and the inside of the cheeks. Although it can occur on the lips, tongue, the inside of the cheeks, the hard palate and the floor of the mouth, studies show it is most common in:
- the tongue,
- the tonsils,
- the floor of the mouth,
- the soft palate at the back of the mouth (oropharynx).
What Are the Most Common Symptoms of Oral Cancer?
- Rough white or red patches of tissue
- Tissue turning grey or white
- Sores or ulcers on the tongue that do not heal
- Shiny patches on the tongue
- A lump in the mouth or a mass near the front teeth
- Bleeding and pain in the mouth
- Numbness in parts of the mouth
- Sore throat
- Loose teeth
- Red or white patches in the mouth
- Difficulty chewing and swallowing