What Mouth Cancer Looks Like
Oral cancer is an increasingly common diagnosis for adults, especially those with a specific risk profile. For most, mouth cancer is associated with lifestyle risk factors, though some types are more closely associated with genetic factors. Learn more about mouth cancer and why proactive, age-appropriate screening is important for early detection.
What Is Mouth Cancer?
Also known as oral cancer, mouth cancer is a growth of cells that forms a tumor in the mouth. These growths can impact any part of the mouth, including:
Lips
Tongue
Cheeks
Roof and floor of mouth
Gums
Mouth cancer is a subcategory of cancers collectively known as head and neck cancers, many of which receive similar treatments.
Early Signs of Mouth Cancer
Oral cancers typically present as lumps or sores, but can appear differently depending on the tumor's location, size, and stage. The most common symptoms of early mouth cancer are:
A sore that won’t heal
Loose teeth
A lump on the inside of the mouth
Mouth pain
Ear pain
Difficulty swallowing
You should schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider at the first sign of these symptoms. They’ll typically screen you for oral cancer or refer you to specialists for more testing.
Read More: Genetically-Modified Organisms and Cancer
What Causes Mouth Cancer?
In most cases, oral cancer starts in the squamous cells, which are the thin cells that line the lips and inside of your mouth. This type of mouth cancer is referred to as squamous cell carcinoma.
These changes are the result of a mutation in the squamous cell DNA, which causes the cell to multiply too quickly, leading to a tumor. If the cancerous cells break away and spread to other parts of the body, the effect spreads as well; this is known as metastatic cancer.
The most common risk factors associated with mouth cancer include:
Tobacco use, including cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and chewing tobacco
Alcohol use, especially in frequent and heavy drinkers
Sun exposure and indoor tanning
Exposure to the human papillomavirus (HPV)
Weak immune system, including those with issues caused by normal medications
Avoiding these risk factors is the best way to reduce your chances of oral cancer. Talk to your health care provider for more personalized advice based on your own unique needs.
How Fast Does Mouth Cancer Spread?
Oral cancer usually spreads to other parts of the body within a few months, although the timeline varies based on the exact type of cancer, location, and personal health factors. Faster-spreading types will move to nearby lymph nodes within a few months, which is the case for the most common form of oral cancer, squamous cell carcinoma. Slower types, like verrucous carcinoma, can take years to spread.
Oral Cancer Statistics
According to the American Cancer Society, roughly 11 in 100,000 people per year face an oral cancer diagnosis.
There are nearly 69,000 new cases of oral cancer per year.
Approximately 13,150 people die of oral cancer annually.
Oral cancer represents roughly 3% of all cancer diagnoses annually.
Men have nearly twice the risk of developing mouth cancer compared to women.
For a Future Without Cancer
The best cancer story is one that’s never told. Less Cancer is committed to making cancer prevention a national priority through education, programming, and advocacy. Prevention is the best way to reduce the 50-60% of cancers caused by lifestyle and environmental causes - and you can help. Donate to our cause today and make cancer history.