Dental and Oral Health

Oral Cancer

Oral cancer, also known as mouth cancer, is cancer of the lips, mouth, or upper throat lining. It most commonly begins in the mouth as a painless white patch that thickens, develops red patches, an ulcer, and continues to grow. When it appears on the lips, it resembles a persistent crusting ulcer that does not heal and slowly grows. Other symptoms may include difficult or painful swallowing, new lumps or bumps in the neck, mouth swelling, or a numb feeling in the mouth or lips. Tobacco and alcohol use are risk factors. Those who consume both alcohol and tobacco are 15 times more likely to develop oral cancer than those who do not consume either.

• Tobacco
• Alcohol
• Human papillomavirus
• Stem cell transplantation