Oral Cancer Awareness
Early detection, prevention, and support for oral cancer
Information - Support - Advocacy - Research - and Hope
Oral Cancer
Oral cancer begins in the mouth, also called the oral cavity. This region of the body includes the lips, the inside lining of the lips and cheeks (called the buccal mucosa), the teeth, the gums, most of the tongue, the bottom of the mouth, and the bony roof of the mouth, or hard palate.
In addition, oral cancer may also develop in the oropharynx, which is the part of the throat that is just behind the mouth. When cancer occurs here, it is called oropharyngeal cancer or throat cancer, and can include the back of the tongue, the back of the roof of the mouth, the tonsils, and the walls of the upper throat.
The oral cavity and oropharynx are key to the healthy functioning of the body. They help us breathe, eat and speak. Salivary glands in the oral cavity start breaking down food as we chew, an essential part of digestion.
Cancer can develop in any part of the oral cavity. Because each part of the oral cavity is different, oral cancer encompasses a wide variety of cancer types that are treated in different ways.
The American Cancer Society estimates that 53,000 people in the United States will be diagnosed with oral cavity or oropharyngeal cancer in 2020.
Types of Oral Cancer
Squamous cell carcinoma: More than 90 percent of cancers that occur in the oral cavity are squamous cell carcinomas. Normally, the throat and mouth are lined with so-called squamous cells, which are flat and look like fish scales on a microscopic level. Squamous cell carcinoma develops when some squamous cells mutate and become abnormal.
Verrucous carcinoma: About 5 percent of all oral cavity tumors are verrucous carcinoma, a type of very slow-growing cancer made up of squamous cells. This type of oral cancer rarely spreads to other parts of the body, but it may invade nearby tissue.
Minor salivary gland carcinomas: This disease includes several types of oral cancer that may develop on the minor salivary glands, which are located throughout the lining of the mouth and throat. These include adenoid cystic carcinoma, mucoepidermoid carcinoma and polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma.
Lymphoma: Oral cancers that develop in lymph tissue, which is part of the immune system, are known as lymphomas. The tonsils and base of the tongue both contain lymphoid tissue.
Benign oral cavity tumors: Several types of non-cancerous tumors and tumor-like conditions may develop in the oral cavity and oropharynx. Sometimes, these conditions may develop into cancer. For this reason, benign tumors are often surgically removed.
Leukoplakia and erythroplakia: These non-cancerous conditions develop when certain types of abnormal cells form in the mouth or throat. When leukoplakia develops, a white area is visible, while erythroplakia is marked by a red area, which may be flat or slightly raised and often bleeds when scraped. Both conditions may be precancerous, meaning they may develop into various types of cancer. When these conditions occur, a biopsy or other test is performed to determine whether the cells are cancerous. About 25 percent of leukoplakias are either cancerous when first discovered or become precancerous. Erythroplakia is usually more serious, with about 70 about of cases deemed to be cancerous, either at the time of diagnosis or later.
Lip cancer
Lip cancer, the most common form of oral cancer, affects mostly men. Lip cancer is divided into two types: squamous cell and basal cell. The most common type of lip cancer forms in the squamous cells, which are the thin, flat cells that line the lips and mouth.
Common lip cancer symptoms
Lip cancer symptoms are similar to those of other types of oral cancer. These symptoms are often mistaken for a cold that won't go away or a persistent toothache. Other symptoms include:
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A sore on the lip that doesn't heal
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Persistent lip pain or lip numbness
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A lump or thickening on the lip
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A white or red patch on the lip
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A neck mass
Mouth cancer
Mouth cancer is a type of oral cancer that develops in any part of the mouth, including the lips, gums and tongue.
Common mouth cancer symptoms
Symptoms of mouth cancer are similar to those associated with other forms of oral cancer. These symptoms are often mistaken for a cold that won't go away or a persistent sore in the mouth. Other mouth cancer symptoms may include:
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Persistent tongue and/or jaw pain
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A lump or thickening in the inside of the mouth
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A white or red patch on the gums, tongue, tonsil or lining of the mouth
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Difficulty swallowing or chewing
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Difficulty moving the jaw or tongue
Tongue cancer
Tongue cancer is a type of oral cancer that forms in the front two-thirds of the tongue. Cancer that forms in the back one-third of the tongue is considered a type of head and neck cancer.
Tongue cancer usually develops in the squamous cells, which are the thin, flat cells that cover the surface of the tongue.
Common tongue cancer symptoms
Symptoms of tongue cancer are very similar to symptoms of other types of oral cancer. These signs are often mistaken for a cold that won’t go away, or a persistent sore in the mouth. Other tongue cancer symptoms may include:
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Persistent tongue and/or jaw pain
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A lump or thickening in the inside the mouth
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A white or red patch on the gums, tongue, tonsil or lining of the mouth
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A sore throat or persistent feeling that something is caught in the throat
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Difficulty swallowing or chewing
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Difficulty moving the jaw or tongue
