Oral cancer symptoms

Some of the most common oral cancer symptoms and signs include:

• Persistent mouth sore: A sore in the mouth that does not heal is the most common symptom of oral cancer
• Pain: Persistent mouth pain is another common oral cancer sign
• A lump or thickening in the cheek
• A white or red patch on the gums, tongue, tonsil, or lining of the mouth
• A sore throat or feeling that something is caught in the throat that does not go away
• Difficulty swallowing or chewing
• Difficulty moving the jaw or tongue
• Numbness of the tongue or elsewhere in the mouth
• Jaw swelling that makes dentures hurt or fit poorly
• Loosening of the teeth
• Pain in the teeth or jaw
• •Voice changes
• A lump in the neck
• Weight loss
• Persistent bad breath

If any of these oral cancer symptoms or signs are present for days or weeks, see your dentist or physician for an oral exam.  As with any cancer, having your cancer diagnosed as soon as possible will help ensure that any treatment is as effective as possible.