Signs and Symptoms of Mouth Cancer

Mouth cancer is one of the cancers that is part of the group of head and neck cancers. It refers to cancer that occurs in any area of the mouth, including the lips, tongue, inside of the cheeks, gums, and roof or floor of the mouth. Mouth cancer, or cancer that occurs on the inside of the mouth, is also called oral cancer or oral cavity cancer. We have put together a list of signs and symptoms of mouth cancer below.

Also, we have information on diagnosis, helpful books and valuable resources for patients.

The Signs and Symptoms of Mouth Cancer are as follows:

• A white patch or red patch on the soft tissues of the mouth
• A painless small bump on the tongue, lip or other mouth areas
• A sore that doesn’t heal
• Blood in your mouth
• Tongue pain
• Jaw pain
• Difficulty swallowing
• Loose teeth
• Painful chewing or swallowing
• A burning sensation when the tumor becomes advanced
• Sore throat
• Difficulty swallowing

Most oral cancers begin on the tongue or on the bottom of the mouth.  The risk of getting oral cancer is higher if you are male, use tobacco or alcohol, or over the age of forty.

Diagnosis of Mouth Cancer

A diagnosis of mouth cancer is first made through a physical examination of the mouth to check for abnormalities. If abnormal areas are found, the suspicious lesions or cells are removed with a procedure called a biopsy. An endoscopy is done to examine for abnormalities in the throat area.

If the suspicious area comes back positive for cancer, other imaging tests are done to see if the cancer has spread to other areas of the body. These tests may include a CT scan, an MRI, a PET scan, or x-rays.

Books For People With Signs and Symptoms of Mouth Cancer

Mouth Cancer Resources

General Patient Resources

• Cancer Treatment Centers of America

To learn about mouth cancer symptoms and the treatments available to you, please visit our site.

http://www.cancercenter.com/mouth-cancer-symptoms.htm

• RD

Mouth cancer information including symptoms, diagnosis, misdiagnosis, treatment, causes, patient stories, videos, forums, prevention, and prognosis.

http://www.rightdiagnosis.com/m/mouth_cancer/intro.htm

• Medicine Net . com

Discover more about oral cancer, which includes cancer of the mouth (oral cavity) and the back of the mouth (oropharynx). Read about diagnosis, symptoms, signs, stages and more.

http://www.medicinenet.com/oral_cancer/article.htm

• National Cancer Institute

This National Cancer Institute (NCI) booklet is about oral cancer.

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/oral/allpages/print

• CancerAnswers . com

CancerAnswers provides the latest information on the most effective traditional and alternative mouth cancer treatments available.

http://www.canceranswers.com/Mouth.Cancer.html

• MD Junction

Mouth Cancer Forums. Discussions, Q&A and friends dealing with Mouth Cancer.

http://www.mdjunction.com/forums/mouth-cancer-discussions

• Cancer Compass

Welcome to the Cancer Forums. … Discussion of cancers of the mouth, tongue, tonsils, throat/larynx, thyroid, sinuses amd more.

http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/cancers/oral-cancer/1,0,119,25.htm

Medical Resources

• Mayo Clinic

Comprehensive overview covers symptoms and treatment of oral cancers and lip cancers.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/mouth-cancer/DS01089

• Medline Plus

A service of the US National Library of Medicine.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001035.htm