Also known as mouth cancer, oral cancer is a cancerous tumor of the lip, tongue, lining of the mouth, or gums. Lip cancer and tongue cancer are the most common types of oral cancer.
Risk factors for developing oral cancer include smoking or chewing tobacco, excessive alcohol use, chewing betel leaves or nuts, infection with human papillomavirus (HPV), and leukoplakia.
Repeated exposure to sunlight increases the risk of lip cancer. Other factors that may increase the risk include a poor diet and reduced immunity.
Symptoms may include an ulcer or sore that does not heal; a white or red patch in the mouth that does not clear up; persistent pain in the mouth; a swelling that develops anywhere inside the mouth or on the lips; and pain when swallowing.
Untreated, oral cancer may spread to other parts of the body. Treatment for oral cancer is usually by surgical removal of the tumor, often followed by radiation therapy.
Cosmetic surgery may also be offered after removal of the tumor to restore a more normal facial appearance. If the cancer has spread, treatment is usually with chemotherapy and radiation therapy