Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsPhysical SymptomsDifferent StagesSelf-ExamNon-Cancerous Mouth BumpsWhen to See a Healthcare Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Physical Symptoms
Different Stages
Self-Exam
Non-Cancerous Mouth Bumps
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Mouth ororal cancercan cause a lot of different physical symptoms, including ulcers, discolored patches, and lumps. The appearance of oral cancer in the mouth can differ depending on the stage.
This article discusses what mouth cancer looks like and how you can self-screen for this type of cancer at home.
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Physical Symptoms and Appearance of Mouth Cancer
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from © DermNet and © Te Whatu Ora Waikato dermnetnz.org 2023
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See Photo
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
Reproduced with permission from © DermNet and © Te Whatu Ora Waikato dermnetnz.org 2023
Physical signs of oral cancer can develop anywhere in the oral cavity but are most likely to occur on the top or sides of the tongue, lower lip, or the floor of the mouth.
Various physical symptoms will develop when someone has mouth cancer, such as:
Mouth Ulcers
Mouth ulcersare open sores that develop in the early stages of oral cancer. Though ulcers can develop in the mouth for many reasons, if they last more than three weeks without healing, they may be a sign of cancer.
These ulcers can sometimes resemblecanker sores, which are visually similar. That is why it’s essential to know the difference between the two. A canker sore will likely be flat and have red and inflamed edges, whereas a mouth cancer ulcer will not. It will be a small, raised lump.
Canker sores are also quite painful, but in the early stages of mouth cancer when ulcers develop, there is little to no pain at all.
Best Way to Tell the Difference Between Canker Sores and Cancer UlcersTo distinguish between the two, you will want to assess pain levels and how long they take to heal. Cankers will be painful and heal on their own within two or three weeks. Mouth cancer ulcers, however, last longer and are unlikely to cause discomfort.
Best Way to Tell the Difference Between Canker Sores and Cancer Ulcers
To distinguish between the two, you will want to assess pain levels and how long they take to heal. Cankers will be painful and heal on their own within two or three weeks. Mouth cancer ulcers, however, last longer and are unlikely to cause discomfort.
Canker Sore vs. Cancer: What Are the Differences?
Red or White Patches
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from © DermNet dermnetnz.org 2023
Reproduced with permission from © DermNet dermnetnz.org 2023
Changes to the coloration of your tongue will develop if you have oral cancer. They will either be white or red. The white patches are known asleukoplakiathat occur on the mucous membrane of the mouth, gums, or tongue. The red patches, known as erythroplasia, can appear on the gums, tongue, or mouth lining.
Are the Patches Painful?The red and white patches that develop in oral cancer are typically painless. You cannot “feel” the cancerous patches in the mouth. You can only see them when they develop.
Are the Patches Painful?
The red and white patches that develop in oral cancer are typically painless. You cannot “feel” the cancerous patches in the mouth. You can only see them when they develop.
Normal Tongue vs. Oral Thrush and Other Conditions
Lumps in the Mouth
Small masses or lumps can develop on the lips or in the mouth or throat when someone has oral cancer. Like other types of cancer masses, they tend to get bigger over time.
Swollen Lymph Nodes
Another physical sign of oral cancer is swollenlymph nodes. When lymph nodes in the neck begin to swell due to cancer, they will form a mass.
The mass will be soft and round, ranging anywhere from the size of a pea to the size of a grape. In the case of cancer, these growths will come on slowly and cause no pain.
Will I Experience Any Pain if I Have Mouth Cancer?Though the lesions and masses that form in the mouth due to oral cancer are typically painless, you may feel general pain or discomfort in the mouth. Unusual bleeding or numbness may accompany this.
Will I Experience Any Pain if I Have Mouth Cancer?
Though the lesions and masses that form in the mouth due to oral cancer are typically painless, you may feel general pain or discomfort in the mouth. Unusual bleeding or numbness may accompany this.
How Mouth Cancer Looks in Different Stages
The appearance of oral cancer may differ depending on the stage. In its early stages, you may notice a single ulcer or small patches of white or red.
Self-Exam: Could I Have Mouth Cancer?
Regulardental screeningsare a great way to stay on top of your oral health and check for mouth cancer. However, there are ways to self-screen at home to see if anything requires medical attention.
The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons suggests performing a monthly oral self-exam. You will want to get a large enough mirror and a light for the exam. The steps for performing the exam are as follows:
Screening Exam With Your DoctorThere is no official screening process for oral cancer, but your dentist or other oral healthcare provider can help determine if any changes in your mouth are a result of oral cancer. In the meantime, performing the self-exam once a month can help keep track of changes, allowing you to catch oral cancer early if you develop it.
Screening Exam With Your Doctor
There is no official screening process for oral cancer, but your dentist or other oral healthcare provider can help determine if any changes in your mouth are a result of oral cancer. In the meantime, performing the self-exam once a month can help keep track of changes, allowing you to catch oral cancer early if you develop it.
How Oral Cancer Is Diagnosed
Similar, Non-Cancerous Mouth Bumps
Various mouth bumps can appear similar to those that develop in oral cancer but are not. They include:
Telling the DifferenceDistinguishing the myriad conditions that can cause mouth symptoms is often difficult. Knowing what cancerous lesions and bumps look like so you can rule them out during a self-exam is crucial.
Telling the Difference
Distinguishing the myriad conditions that can cause mouth symptoms is often difficult. Knowing what cancerous lesions and bumps look like so you can rule them out during a self-exam is crucial.
How Oral Cancer Is Treated
If Uncertain, See a Healthcare Provider
If you notice signs of oral cancer after a self-exam, seeing a healthcare provider is essential. You can see your primary care physician, dentist, or oral medicine specialist. Even if you’re not sure, it’s better to be safe when there’s a chance that cancer may have developed. Other symptoms of mouth cancer that will not be visible include:
These signs may not develop all at once, but experiencing any of them withlesionsor lumps in the mouth warrants a trip to your healthcare provider. They may order abiopsy(a removal and analysis of tissue cells) to identify any cancerous elements.
Summary
Oral cancer can sometimes be difficult to spot because the bumps and symptoms are similar to those that develop as a result of other benign conditions. Because of that, knowing what to look for when examining yourself for oral cancer is vital. People should perform oral cancer self-exams once a month because oral cancer is highly treatable when caught early.
11 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.DermNet.Oral cancer.United Kingdom National Health Service.Symptoms of mouth cancer.University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.Canker sore vs. oral cancer: How can you tell the difference?United Kingdom National Health Service.Leukoplakia.Bedi, R. Scully, C.Tropical oral health.Manson’s Tropical Infectious Diseases.2014;1073-1083.e2. doi:10.1016/B978-0-7020-5101-2.00074-1Canadian Cancer Society.Symptoms of oral cancer.Mount Sinai.Swollen lymph nodes.Canadian Cancer Society.Stages of oral cancer.American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.Warning signs of oral cancer.Canadian Cancer Society.Non-cancerous tumours and conditions of the mouth.Yale Medicine.Skin biopsies: What you should expect.
11 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.DermNet.Oral cancer.United Kingdom National Health Service.Symptoms of mouth cancer.University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.Canker sore vs. oral cancer: How can you tell the difference?United Kingdom National Health Service.Leukoplakia.Bedi, R. Scully, C.Tropical oral health.Manson’s Tropical Infectious Diseases.2014;1073-1083.e2. doi:10.1016/B978-0-7020-5101-2.00074-1Canadian Cancer Society.Symptoms of oral cancer.Mount Sinai.Swollen lymph nodes.Canadian Cancer Society.Stages of oral cancer.American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.Warning signs of oral cancer.Canadian Cancer Society.Non-cancerous tumours and conditions of the mouth.Yale Medicine.Skin biopsies: What you should expect.
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.
DermNet.Oral cancer.United Kingdom National Health Service.Symptoms of mouth cancer.University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.Canker sore vs. oral cancer: How can you tell the difference?United Kingdom National Health Service.Leukoplakia.Bedi, R. Scully, C.Tropical oral health.Manson’s Tropical Infectious Diseases.2014;1073-1083.e2. doi:10.1016/B978-0-7020-5101-2.00074-1Canadian Cancer Society.Symptoms of oral cancer.Mount Sinai.Swollen lymph nodes.Canadian Cancer Society.Stages of oral cancer.American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.Warning signs of oral cancer.Canadian Cancer Society.Non-cancerous tumours and conditions of the mouth.Yale Medicine.Skin biopsies: What you should expect.
DermNet.Oral cancer.
United Kingdom National Health Service.Symptoms of mouth cancer.
University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.Canker sore vs. oral cancer: How can you tell the difference?
United Kingdom National Health Service.Leukoplakia.
Bedi, R. Scully, C.Tropical oral health.Manson’s Tropical Infectious Diseases.2014;1073-1083.e2. doi:10.1016/B978-0-7020-5101-2.00074-1
Canadian Cancer Society.Symptoms of oral cancer.
Mount Sinai.Swollen lymph nodes.
Canadian Cancer Society.Stages of oral cancer.
American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.Warning signs of oral cancer.
Canadian Cancer Society.Non-cancerous tumours and conditions of the mouth.
Yale Medicine.Skin biopsies: What you should expect.
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