Oral Cancer
Oral cancer is a type of head and neck cancer that begins in the flat cells of the mouth, tongue, and lips, often linked to tobacco, alcohol, or HPV.
What is oral cancer?
Oral cancer is cancer of the mouth and is classified as a type of head and neck cancer. Most oral cancers are squamous cell cancers, which begin in the flat cells that cover the surfaces of your mouth, tongue, and lips. As the cancer grows, these cells may spread into deeper tissue.
The majority of oral cancers are related to tobacco use, heavy alcohol use, or an HPV infection.
Who is more likely to develop oral cancer?
While anyone can develop oral cancer, your risk is higher if you:
- Use tobacco or drink large amounts of alcohol (the risk is even higher if you do both).
- Are male.
- Are over age 40.
- Have HPV.
- Have a history of head or neck cancer.
- Experience frequent sun exposure (a risk factor for lip cancer).
What are the symptoms of oral cancer?
Symptoms may include:
- A white or red patch in your mouth
- A lip or mouth sore that won't heal
- Bleeding, pain, or numbness in the lip or mouth
- Loose teeth or dentures that no longer fit well
- Problems or pain with swallowing
- A lump in your neck
- Ear pain
- Trouble moving your mouth or jaw
- Swelling of the jaw
- A sore throat or the feeling that something is caught in the throat
If you experience any of these symptoms for more than two weeks, consult your health care provider or dentist. Early detection is critical because oral cancer can spread quickly.
How is oral cancer diagnosed?
To determine if you have oral cancer, your provider may use:
- A physical exam of the lips and mouth.
- An endoscopy.
- A biopsy or other procedure to collect cells from the lip or oral cavity for microscopic examination to identify abnormal cells.
- Imaging tests.
What are the treatments for oral cancer?
Treatments include surgery, radiation therapy, or a combination of both. Following surgery, some patients may require chemotherapy to eliminate remaining cancer cells.
Can oral cancer be prevented?
You can take the following steps to help reduce your risk:
- Do not smoke.
- Limit alcohol use or abstain entirely.
- Get regular dental exams.