What Is Oral Cancer?
Oral cancer is a type of head and neck cancer. It can occur anywhere in the mouth and on the lips, including the tissues of the tongue, gums and the inside of the cheeks. Although it may be seen on the lips, tongue, inner cheeks, hard palate and floor of the mouth, research shows that it is most common in the following areas:
- Tongue
- Tonsils
- Floor of the mouth
- Soft palate at the back of the mouth (oropharynx)
What Are the Most Common Symptoms?
- Rough white or red patches of tissue
- Tissue that turns 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 some areas of the mouth
- Sore throat
- Loose teeth
- Red or white patches in and around the mouth
- Difficulty chewing and swallowing