Mouth cancer

Mouth cancer symptoms

Symptoms of mouth cancer can include:

• a lump in your neck

• loose teeth

• swelling or a sore on your lip that won't heel

• difficult or painful swallowing

• changes in speech

• bleeding or numbness in the mouth

• white or red patches on the mouth, tongue or gums

• unexplained weight loss.

Causes of mouth cancer

The main risk factors for most mouth cancers are tobacco and alcohol consumption. Other risk factors can include:

• human papillomavirus (HPV)

• epstein-barr virus (EBV)

• family history of mouth cancers

• poor oral hygiene and gum disease

• exposure to the sun

• chewing the seed of the areca palm tree (sometimes called areca or betel nut).

Diagnosis of mouth cancer

Signs of mouth cancer are often first detected by your dentist. Your doctor or dentist is likely to examine your mouth, throat, tongue, cheeks, ears and eyes. You may also be referred to a specialist for additional tests, such as:

After a diagnosis of mouth cancer 

After a diagnosis of a mouth cancer you may be experiencing a range of emotions like fear, anxiety, confusion and uncertainty. There is also a lot of information to take in which can leave you overwhelmed.

Talk to your doctor about different treatment options are available to you, what the possible side effects are and any risks and benefits. Take your time – it is up to you how involved you want to be in decisions about your treatment.

Treatment for mouth cancer

Treatment for mouth cancer depends on the type of cancer, where it is located and how far it has spread.

Treatment Team

• GP (General Practitioner)- looks after your general health and works with your specialists to coordinate treatment.
• Ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist- treats disorders of the ear, nose and throat
• Head and neck surgeon- diagnoses and treats cancers of the head and neck.
• Oral surgeon- treats disorders of the mouth, face and jaws.
• Reconstructive (plastic) surgeon- performs any complex reconstructive surgery that restores or repairs the body's appearance and function.
• Dentist- evaluates and treats the mouth and teeth
• Radiation oncologist- prescribes and coordinates radiation therapy treatment.
• Medical oncologist- prescribes and coordinates the course of chemotherapy.
• Cancer nurses- assist with treatment and provide information and support throughout your treatment.
• Dietitian- recommends an eating plan to follow while you are in treatment and recovery.
• Speech pathologist- helps with swallowing and communication difficulties during and after treatment.
• Other allied health professionals- such as social workers, pharmacists and counsellors.

Screening for mouth cancer

There is currently no national screening program for mouth cancer available in Australia. If you have any concerns about symptoms, consult your doctor. Dentists also routinely use visual examination and fluorescence to check for signs for mouth cancer.

Preventing mouth cancer

Around 59% of mouth cancers in Australia are caused by smoking. Around 31% are caused by excess alcohol consumption. So quitting smoking and moderating alcohol consumption will significantly reduce your risk of developing mouth cancer, especially those inside the mouth. Cancers of the lip are commonly associated with UV exposure, so it is also important to protect yourself from the sun when the UV is 3 or above.

Prognosis for mouth cancer

While it is not possible to predict the exact course of a disease, your doctor may give you a prognosis, the likely outcome of your disease based on the type of cancer, your test results and the rate of tumour growth. Other factors include your age, medical history and overall health.