The unregulated growth of abnormal cells within the mouth or lips is a condition called mouth or oral cancer. Your risk of developing mouth cancer is increased if you frequently smoke cigarettes or consume alcohol. Speak with your doctor as soon as possible if you develop any of the common signs of mouth cancer.
Mouth or Lip Skin Lesions
One of the most common signs of mouth cancer is the development of an abnormal skin lesion along the gums, tongue or lips. You might notice unusual bumps within your mouth that appear dry, rough or crusty if you have mouth cancer, according to the Cleveland Clinic. You can also develop red or white patches of skin within your mouth that can be painful or prone to bleeding. Skin lesions resulting from mouth cancer typically become worse as the cancer continues to grow and may spread to other regions of your mouth or throat.
Loose Teeth
If you have mouth cancer, you can develop loose teeth as a symptom of this condition, explains the National Cancer Institute. Mouth cancer can lead to the erosion of your gum line, disrupting the normal alignment of your teeth. Older patients with mouth cancer may notice that dentures become loose or do not fit correctly. As a result of these symptoms, you can experience difficulty chewing certain foods or may find it uncomfortable to move your jaw or tongue. Certain patients also develop swelling along the jaw line, which can cause the cheeks to appear enlarged or discolored.
Sore Throat
The presence of cancerous cells within your mouth can cause significant oral irritation or inflammation. As a result, you may experience a sore throat as a common sign of mouth cancer. You can develop difficulty swallowing certain foods or may feel as though there is something stuck within your throat. Sore throat symptoms related to mouth cancer tend to become worse over time and do not resolve after the administration of antibiotics. You might also notice changes in the way your voice sounds, develop a persistently raspy or hoarse voice, or may have difficulty speaking above a whisper.
About this Author
Rachel R. Ahmed, M.S., is a freelance writer and editor based in San Diego. Ahmed received her M.S. degree in integrated biomedical sciences and has been working as a freelance writer and editor for more than five years. Some of her freelance clients include The Burroughs Wellcome Fund, alzforum.org, MedAngel.org, L3 Communications, and ThinkTank Learning.
