As with any cancer, spotting the symptoms of mouth cancer can have a major impact on the outcome. But a dentist says many people aren’t aware of the subtle signs that could save their lives.
Spotting them could be the difference between a successful outcome and not. Dr Smita Mehra, principal dentist at The Neem Tree Dental Practice, has highlighted the vital information that could make a life-saving difference.
Symptoms of mouth cancer you should see a GP about
Persistent sores or ulcers
While not every sore or ulcer in the mouth is indicative of cancer, it is important to have any persistent or unusual sores evaluated by a healthcare professional if they haven’t left within two weeks, reports Gloucestershire Live.
Unexplained bleeding
As cancerous tumours grow, they can invade and damage surrounding tissues. This can cause blood vessels to become fragile and rupture easily, leading to bleeding.
Mouth cancer can often cause chronic inflammation, which can make the tissues more prone to bleeding. When combined with other symptoms such as persistent sores, lumps, pain, or difficulty swallowing, it can be an indication of oral cancer.
Red or white patches
Red or white patches in your mouth should be looked at if they appear thick and white and cannot be easily scraped off. They can also appear as red, velvety patches that are often smoother and flatter than surrounding tissue – both occurring on the tongue, gums, inside the cheeks, or the floor of the mouth.
Keep an eye out if these patches appear within your mouth, as though they aren’t definite signs of oral cancer, if they persist for weeks it can be an early indicator.
Voice changes
A common early sign of oral cancer is if hoarseness persists for more than two weeks without an obvious cause (like a cold). Your voice can also become ‘raspy’, or can have a lower pitch.
Other changes you should be aware of include a more breathy voice and pain while speaking.
Cancer in the mouth can affect areas involved in speech production, such as the tongue, throat, or voice box, causing these symptoms.
Swelling
As cancerous cells grow, they can form masses or lumps, causing noticeable swelling. Noticeable swelling should be looked at by a professional when it begins to impact oral function; this can involve difficulty chewing and speech impairment.
This symptom often comes with significant pain, which can be a key indicator of whether it is more serious and requires medical attention. Swelling often leads to further diagnostic procedures such as biopsies and imaging studies, which can help to determine if it is cancer earlier on.
Other symptoms of mouth cancer
Weight loss
Significant weight loss without a clear reason is a symptom often linked to cancer, including oral cancer. This can be due to a complex syndrome known as cancer cachexia, which leads to muscle wasting and weight loss, even when food intake is sufficient.
This can be partially attributed to the metabolic changes triggered by the tumour.
The body’s metabolic rate may also increase as it battles cancer, resulting in higher energy consumption and weight loss. If you notice a metallic taste in your mouth, or if your sense of taste disappears completely, this could also be a symptom leading to weight loss.
Ear pain
Experiencing ear pain without any hearing loss can be a significant symptom of mouth cancer. If this issue persists, it should be investigated as it could indicate the spread of cancer to nearby areas such as the throat or base of the skull.
Chronic bad breath (halitosis)
Oral cancer and its treatments, like radiation therapy, can impact the salivary glands, reducing saliva production. Saliva helps clean the mouth and remove bacteria, so a decrease can lead to bad breath.
Furthermore, it can cause the tissues in the mouth to break down and decay, creating a foul smell that contributes to chronic bad breath. If you or someone you know suffers from persistent bad breath that doesn’t improve with good oral hygiene, it’s crucial to seek medical advice.
Chronic cough or coughing up blood
Oral cancer can spread to the lungs, which can cause symptoms such as a chronic cough and coughing up blood due to the tumour in the lung tissue. This is because of chronic inflammation caused by the presence of a tumour, which is the body’s response to try to clear the irritation from the respiratory tract.
Cancerous ulcers in the mouth or throat can also cause someone to cough up blood, as the blood from these ulcers can mix with saliva. However, it’s important to differentiate between symptoms caused by cancer and by infections, bronchitis, tuberculosis, or other lung conditions.
