Health A to Z

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Mouth cancer

“Oral cancer” or “oral cavity cancer” is cancer that develops inside the mouth.

Mouth cancer may develop on the following:

  • Lips
  • Gums
  • Tongue
  • The cheeks’ interior
  • The cleft of the mouth
  • Mouth’s bottom (under the tongue)

Mouth cancer symptoms

Signs and symptoms include:

  • Mouth ulcers that hurt and don’t go away after a few weeks
  • Unidentified, enduring lumps in the neck or mouth that don’t go away
  • Unaccounted for loose teeth or unhealed extraction sockets
  • Unidentified, lingering numbness, or an unusual sensation on the mouth or lips
  • Sometimes, you should also examine white or red spots on the tongue or mouth line because they may be precursors to cancer
  • Speech modifications, such as a lisp

Visit a doctor or dentist, If these symptoms do not go away in 3 weeks.

Reason for mouth cancer 

Mouth cancers originate when cells in the mouth or lips experience DNA changes (mutations). The DNA instructs the cell. When healthy cells stop growing and dividing, mutations tell the cells to keep doing so. A tumor might develop when abnormal mouth cancer cells accumulate.

Reason for mouth cancer
The alterations that result in mouth cancer are not known to have a specific origin. However, according to specialists, the risk of mouth cancer is put forth.

Risk factor

Your risk of mouth cancer may be affected by the following factors:

  • Any tobacco use, including snuff, chewing tobacco, cigars, pipes, cigarettes, and cigars, among other
  • Heavy drinking
  • Sunburnt lips from too much sun exposure
  • Human papillomavirus, a sexually transmitted disease (HPV)
  • A lowered immunological response

Treatments and prevention of a mouth cancer

For oral cancer, there are three main treatment options, including:

  • Surgery eliminates cancer by removing the malignant cells and a small amount of the normal tissue or cells surrounding them
  • In radiotherapy, radiation beams target malignant cells
  • Chemotherapy: the killing of malignant cells using potent drugs

Practical approaches to protect against oral cancer include:

  • Not chewing tobacco, smoking, or using tobacco in other ways
  • Make sure you don’t consume more alcohol than the weekly advised limit
  • Consuming fresh veggies, especially tomatoes, citrus fruits, olive oil, and fish, as part of a balanced, healthful diet

Reviewed by – Dr. Priyanka, MBBS MD Microbiology
Page last reviewed: 16 JULY 2022