Mouth cancer

Mouth cancer, also known as oral cancer, is where a tumour develops on the surface of the tongue, mouth, lips or gums.

Tumours can also occur in the salivary glands, tonsils and the pharynx (the part of the throat from your mouth to your windpipe) but these are less common.

Symptoms of mouth cancer include:

red or white patches on the lining of your mouth or tongue ulcers a lump

Speak to your GP if these symptoms do not heal within 3 weeks, especially if you’re a heavy drinker or smoker.

Symptoms

Mouth cancer can develop on most parts of the mouth, including the lips, gums and occasionally, the throat.

The most common symptoms of mouth cancer include:

red or white patches in the mouth or throat a lump ulcers

Other symptoms may include:

persistent pain in the mouth pain or difficulty when swallowing (dysphagia) changes in your voice, or speech problems swollen lymph nodes (glands) in your neck unexplained weight loss bleeding or numbness in the mouth a tooth, or teeth, that becomes loose for no obvious reason difficulty moving your jaw