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Most of these signs may also present in non-cancerous conditions; however, persistent occurrence over more than two weeks necessitates consultation with a healthcare professional for further evaluation and possible biopsy.
Chronic bad breath can be an indicator of oral cancer.
Mouth cancer, also known as oral cancer, can be manifested through different signs and symptoms that may involve different areas of the mouth, such as the tongue, gums, lips, and inner cheeks. These need to be identified at the right time so that they can be treated appropriately. Following are some key signs to look out for:
Key Symptoms of Mouth Cancer
- Persistent Mouth Ulcers: The initial stages of mouth cancer can begin to manifest as a sore or ulcer in the mouth. If such sores fail to heal for over two weeks, a proper consultation is required. These sores may sometimes be painful, especially in the later stages of cancer.
- Red or White Patches: Unusual white (leukoplakia) or red (erythroplakia) patches are pre-cancerous alterations, but can also represent cancerous pathology, which may become painful and require medical assessment.
- Lumps or Thickening: A growth or lump inside the lip, inside the gum, or anywhere around the mouth could be cancerous. Such lumps do not always tend to fade and often are firm despite their potential slow increase in size.
- Pain or Difficulty Swallowing: Pain may be felt in swallowing or the feeling of something sticking in the throat. It may also present as a burning sensation when chewing.
- Changes in Speech: Cancer of the oral cavity may affect changes in speech, including hoarseness, slurred words, or difficulty pronouncing certain sounds.
- Lump in the Neck: This is the swelling of lymph nodes in the neck, the most common symptom, indicating that the cancer has spread from the oral cavity.
- Unexplained Weight Loss: A person may experience significant weight loss without dieting due to problems in eating and swallowing because of the cancer of the mouth.
- Chronic Bad Breath: Bad breath is not completely uncommon; however, persistent and worsening bad breath can indicate issues associated with cancers of the mouth.
- Loose Teeth: A change in the state of dental health, for example, loose teeth without an account for the same are considered a symptom of oral cancer.
- Numbness or Bleeding: Unexplained numbness in any area of the mouth or unusual bleeding could be a warning sign of some serious conditions, including cancer.
Importance Of Early Detection
Early recognition of these symptoms is important for effective treatment. Most of these signs may also present in non-cancerous conditions; however, persistent occurrence over more than two weeks necessitates consultation with a healthcare professional for further evaluation and possible biopsy.
Risk Factors
Certain factors increase your chance of developing mouth cancer. These are consumption of tobacco, excessive use of alcohol, poor oral hygiene, and a family history of oral cancers, to name a few.
