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Early Stage Mouth Cancer Symptoms: Key Warning Signs You Should Know
By Raveena M Prakash
Mouth cancer is a type of cancer commonly referred to as oral cancer. This type of cancer often goes unnoticed or ignored in the early stages. While identifying the early-stage mouth cancer symptoms can make a huge difference in people’s lives. Whether it's symptoms such as persistent mouth sores or unusual growth on the mole, paying attention to the new changes can simply save a life without experiencing any complications.
In this article, we’ll discover more about the early-stage oral cancer symptoms, risk factors, and why early detection matters in oral cancer!
What is mouth cancer?
Mouth cancer is a type of cancer, develops in the cells of the mouth including the lips, tongue, gums, cheeks, roofs and floor of the mouth. Mouth cancer is also known as oral cancer. These cancers are generally classified under the head and neck cancers.
Causes of Mouth Cancer
Mouth cancer starts as a growth of cells in the mouth. It often develops in certain cells called squamous cells. These cells are flat and thin that often line the lips and inside of the mouth. Most of the oral cancers are squamous cell carcinoma.
A normal squamous cell becomes cancerous when its DNA changes and the cells start growing and multiplying. If left untreated, these cancerous cells can spread to the neck and head or other parts of the body.
Early stage of mouth cancer symptoms
Mouth or oral cancer causes a significant challenge to individuals each year across the globe. Early diagnosis greatly enhances the overall treatment outcomes in patients. It eventually improves the overall quality of life.
Persistent mouth sores
One of the initial signs of oral cancer is a mouth sore that doesn’t heal within two weeks. It often appears as a canker sore. This type of cancer sores are often considered painless and stubborn in nature.
Red or white patches
If you are observing any red patches (erythroplakia) or white patches (leukoplakia), or mixed red-white patches inside your mouth can be a sign of cancer. These patches that come as flat or slightly raised in the mouth are considered as major warning signs.
Lumps or thickened areas
Experiencing a lump or swelling or thickened patch in the cheek or any part of the oral cavity should be examined immediately, especially if it's appearing painless. This could be a sign of oral cancer.
Difficulty in swallowing
If you feel pain or tightness in your mouth while chewing or swallowing foods, or moving your tongue or jaw, then it can be a sign of something more serious than a normal sore throat.
Unexplainable bleeding
Bleeding from the mouth without any clear reason such as brushing hard on the teeth or biting your cheek can be a sign of cancer.
Numbness
Experiencing tingling feelings or numbness in the mouth, lips, or tongue should not be ignored. Studies often suggest that nerve involvement can indicate a sign of cancer.
Chronic sore throat
If you are experiencing a change in your voice tone or experiencing hoarseness or a sore throat that doesn’t go away easily, then consult a doctor immediately, because it could be a sign of cancer, which is near the back of the mouth or throat.
Swelling in neck (jaw)
Observing a swelling or lumps in the jaw or neck area might indicate that the cancer has started to spread into the jaws.
How to diagnose early stage mouth cancer?
Your dentist may spot any potential cancer symptoms during the check-ups. If they find any suspicious spot they might follow preliminary tests or refer you to an ENT specialist.
Here are some oral tests, include:
- Physical examination: An ENT specialist might look inside the entire side of the mouth. They will examine the neck, face, and head to analyze any potential sign of cancer.
- Exfoliative cytology: The doctor might use a small brush or spatula to gently scrape the suspected area to collect some cells and examine them.
- Incisional biopsy: The doctor might remove small pieces of tissue to collect cells and examine them to find out any abnormalities or cancer.
- Indirect laryngoscopy and pharyngoscopy: The doctor might use equipment consisting of a small mirror on a long, thin handle to look at the throat, the base of the tongue and any part of the larynx (voice box)
- Direct pharyngoscopy and laryngoscopy: Doctors often use an endoscope to look at areas of the patient’s throat and mouth that can’t be seen with the mirrors.
Risk factors
There are some risk factors can increase the chance of developing this cancer in the mouth, including:
- Using tobacco products
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Exposure to the sun
- Human papillomavirus infection
- Weak immune system
Why early detection matters in mouth cancer?
Studies have shown that this type of cancer can affect the mouth, lips, tongue, gums, cheeks, or roof and floor of the mouth. When oral cancer is diagnosed in the early stages, it has high chances of better treatment outcomes and improves overall survival rates.
Many people might ignore the early symptoms, mistaking them for any minor or less serious issues such as ulcers or infections. Delaying the diagnosis can allow cancer cells to spread into other body parts, making the treatment more challenging and potentially reducing the survival rates.
Consult Today
Understanding early-stage mouth cancer symptoms such as mouth sores, unusual white or red patches in the mouth, or ear pain shows the signs of oral cancer. Understanding these symptoms early can empower people to take necessary steps to improve the situation. If anything in your mouth feels unusual for more than two weeks, get medical assistance to improve the quality of life.
At Oncare, we offer quality cancer treatments including cancer surgeries at affordable price packages with experienced cancer specialist consultations.
If you or any loved ones of yours are diagnosed with cancer, then visit Oncare Cancer Center and book an appointment with our experienced cancer specialist. Get an estimated cost of your cancer treatments today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the symptoms of mouth cancer, including:
- Mouth ulcer in the mouth
- A red or white patch inside the mouth
- A lump inside the mouth or on your lip
- Experiencing pain inside the mouth
- Difficulty in swallowing
- Hoarseness
- A lump or mass in the throat
- Losing weight without trying
There is no exact cause of why mouth cancer is developing in people. However, there are some causes such as the use of tobacco and smoking habits, excessive alcohol consumption, and HPV infection in people.
Here are some of the risk factors, include:
- Using tobacco products
- Drinking alcohol
- Excessive sun exposure
- Exposure to Human Papillomavirus
- Weak immune system
Here’s how you can prevent the risk of mouth cancers.
- Do not use tobacco products
- Stop smoking cigarettes
- Limit the use of alcohol
- Avoid excessive exposure to sun
- Getting HPV vaccine