A large number of these cancers are discovered during routine examinations
by a dentist or doctor, or by self-examination. Like most cancers, the earlier
it is detected, the better the prognosis (outlook for recovery). Some
cancers cause symptoms to show up early and sometimes no symptoms appear until
the cancer is in an advanced stage.
Other times the symptoms are mistaken for another disease. Many of the
following signs and symptoms can be caused by other conditions or by benign
growths. It is recommended to see a dentist or doctor if you suffer from any of
these things for two weeks or more:
A lump in the cheek
A sore throat or constant
feeling that something is caught in the throat
Difficulty chewing and/or
swallowing
Numbness of the tongue or
other area of the mouth
Loose teeth
Changes in voice
A lump in the neck
Difficulty moving the tongue
or jaw
Continuous bad breath
A sore in the mouth that will
not heal (most common symptom)
Perpetual pain in the mouth
(another very common symptom)
Leukoplakia or erythroplakia
Leukoplakia is a white patch in the mouth or throat; erythroplakia
is a slightly raised red area that easily bleeds. At the time of their
discovery, these patches may be harmless, cancerous, or a precancerous
condition known as dsyplasia.
Approximately 25% of leukoplakias are either cancerous or precancerous when
discovered, in comparison with 70% of erythroplakia cases. The odds of either
growing into cancer depend on the DNA content of the cells. Normal DNA
may become cancer, but the chance of it doing so is low. On the other hand, if
the DNA is abnormal, the chance of the leukoplakia or erythroplakia becoming
cancer is very high.