Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention
A mouth sore can be irritating and, at times, concerning. A commoncanker soreand anoral cancerous lesioncan seem similar at first glance. Both form an ulcer inside the mouth. While you may be fairly sure that you have a canker sore, you may have a lingering doubt.
The good news is there are ways to distinguish these two sores. A lesion that’s red and painful early on is usually a canker sore. Oral cancer often is not painful at first.
A typical canker sore is flat and will heal with time. If there is a bump under the lesion or the sore does not get better after a few weeks, it may be something else. See a healthcare provider to identify the lesion and ensure you get the correct treatment.
This article will discuss what distinguishes canker sores from oral cancer. Learn more about the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment, and preventive measures of sores in the mouth.
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Both canker sores and oral cancer can appear as an ulcer in the mouth. These lesions may appear on the cheeks, lips, or on or under the tongue. The location alone cannot tell which type of lesion you may have. But some differences can help to distinguish between the two.
Canker Sore Symptoms vs. Oral CancerCanker SoreIs often painfulIs often red and inflamed around the edgesIs often flatUsually heals on its own within two to three weeksOral CancerNot usually painful in the early stages, but later may have persistent painHas white or red patchesMay cause a bumpIs a persistent lesion that may get worse over time
Canker Sore Symptoms vs. Oral Cancer
Canker SoreIs often painfulIs often red and inflamed around the edgesIs often flatUsually heals on its own within two to three weeks
Is often painful
Is often red and inflamed around the edges
Is often flat
Usually heals on its own within two to three weeks
Oral CancerNot usually painful in the early stages, but later may have persistent painHas white or red patchesMay cause a bumpIs a persistent lesion that may get worse over time
Not usually painful in the early stages, but later may have persistent pain
Has white or red patches
May cause a bump
Is a persistent lesion that may get worse over time
Some symptoms that may occur with oral cancer include difficulty chewing, talking, or moving the jaw or tongue. You might have an area of numbness in the mouth. You may experience lumps or swelling in the neck, cheek, or jaw, or you may have changes in your teeth or how your dentures fit.
Symptoms of Oral Cancer
The causes of canker sores and oral cancer are very different.
Canker Sore
Oral Cancer
If a mouth sore hasn’t healed after a couple of weeks or if it becomes even more inflamed, see your primary care provider or dentist to ensure the sore isn’t due to a different condition.
Expect a medical provider to look closely at the pink lining of your mouth and ask if you have noticed any other signs that something is amiss.
To identify a cause and determine if your sore is related to a disease, your provider may swab the area, perform a blood test, or take a sample from the area to be tested in a lab.
The examination might also use special mirrors or fiberoptic scopes to look into your mouth and throat. If the healthcare provider is concerned the lesion may be cancerous, they may refer you to an oncologist (cancer specialist).
You can expect to have a biopsy, in which a sample is taken from the lesion to analyze in the lab. This may determine whether cancer is present.The sample may also be tested for HPV.
Imaging may also be performed before or after diagnosis, depending on symptoms and the possible spread of cancer.
How Oral Cancer Is Diagnosed
While canker sores will usually get better without treatment, oral cancer must be treated as soon as possible.
If you are uncomfortable, use a saltwater rinse or apply over-the-counter (OTC) gels, ointments, or mouthwashes with medication to ease the pain. In severe cases, a healthcare provider or dentist will recommend treatment to soothe symptoms.
The treatment you will receive for oral cancer will depend on how early it is detected, the size of the tumor, the type of cancer, and whether it is still confined to a local area.
In cases in which oral cancer is found early, you will need to undergo surgery or receiveradiation treatment. If the tumor is more advanced, you may need to undergo a combination of these treatments. Another possibility may be targeted therapy, where treatment is aimed at specific characteristics of the tumor.
How Oral Cancer Is Treated
To keep canker sores at bay, avoid common triggers. Steps you can take include:
Summary
Both canker sores and oral cancer are lesions that appear in the mouth and may look similar at first. In the early stages, canker sores tend to be painful and red, while early oral cancer is often painless. The canker sore also tends to be flat, while oral cancer may have a bump. Canker sores resolve quickly on their own, while oral cancer does not.
If you have a lesion that does not go away, it’s essential to see a dentist or other healthcare provider for a diagnosis. While treatment is usually not necessary for canker sores, you may wish to rinse with saltwater or use OTC remedies to soothe symptoms. Oral cancer found early can be surgically removed or treated with radiation.
10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.Canker sore vs. oral cancer: how can you tell the difference?American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer.University of Michigan.Cold and canker sores.National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.Oral cancer.Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG).Canker sores (mouth ulcers): overview.American Cancer Society.Tests for oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers.Mount Sinai.Canker sore.Cedars Sinai.Everything you wanted to know about canker sores.American Cancer Society.Can oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers be prevented?Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.HPV vaccine schedule and dosing.
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.Canker sore vs. oral cancer: how can you tell the difference?American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer.University of Michigan.Cold and canker sores.National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.Oral cancer.Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG).Canker sores (mouth ulcers): overview.American Cancer Society.Tests for oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers.Mount Sinai.Canker sore.Cedars Sinai.Everything you wanted to know about canker sores.American Cancer Society.Can oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers be prevented?Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.HPV vaccine schedule and dosing.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.Canker sore vs. oral cancer: how can you tell the difference?American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer.University of Michigan.Cold and canker sores.National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.Oral cancer.Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG).Canker sores (mouth ulcers): overview.American Cancer Society.Tests for oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers.Mount Sinai.Canker sore.Cedars Sinai.Everything you wanted to know about canker sores.American Cancer Society.Can oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers be prevented?Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.HPV vaccine schedule and dosing.
University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.Canker sore vs. oral cancer: how can you tell the difference?
American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer.
University of Michigan.Cold and canker sores.
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.Oral cancer.
Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG).Canker sores (mouth ulcers): overview.
American Cancer Society.Tests for oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers.
Mount Sinai.Canker sore.
Cedars Sinai.Everything you wanted to know about canker sores.
American Cancer Society.Can oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers be prevented?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.HPV vaccine schedule and dosing.
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