Symptoms of mouth cancer

• A quick guide to what's on this page
• Ulcers that do not heal
• Persistent discomfort or pain in the mouth
• White or red patches in the mouth or throat
• Difficulty in swallowing

• Speech problems
• A lump in the neck
• Weight loss
• Bad breath (halitosis)
• Other symptoms

Mouth ulcers that do not heal are one of the two most common symptoms of mouth cancer. 80 out of every 100 people with mouth cancer (80%) have a mouth ulcer that does not heal.

Ongoing pain or discomfort in the mouth is the other most common symptom of mouth cancer.

An abnormal looking patch in the mouth could be a sign of cancer or a pre cancer.

Areas of abnormal cells may look red or white. White patches are called leukoplakia (pronounced loo-ko-play-kee-a), and the red patches are called erythroplakia (pronounced air-ith-row-play-kee-a). These patches are not cancer, but if left untreated they may lead to cancer. There is more information about leukoplakia and erythroplakia in this section of CancerHelp UK.

A white or red patch in the mouth or throat does not necessarily mean cancer. A fungal infection called thrush can cause them. The white patches of thrush usually rub off, leaving a sore, red patch underneath. If you have anti fungal treatment and the patches go away, they are not related to cancer.

Mouth cancer can cause pain or a burning sensation when chewing and swallowing food. Or you may feel that your food is sticking in your throat. Difficulty swallowing can also be caused by other conditions such as a harmless narrowing of the food pipe (oesophagus). If you have this symptom it is important to see your doctor and get some treatment.

Cancer in your mouth or throat can affect your voice. Your voice may sound different. It may be quieter, husky, or sound as if you have a cold all the time. Or you may slur some of your words or have trouble pronouncing some sounds.

You may have a lump in your neck caused by an enlarged lymph node. Swelling of one or more lymph nodes in the neck is a common symptom of mouth and oropharyngeal cancers.

A hot, red, painful lump usually means an infection, rather than a cancer. Lumps that come and go are not usually due to cancer either. Once a cancer has grown, it is unlikely to go until it is treated.

Weight loss is a common symptom of many cancers. You may be eating less due to mouth pain or difficulty in swallowing. Extreme weight loss may be a sign of advanced cancer. See your doctor if you have lost 10lbs or more in a short time and you are not dieting.

Most people have bad breath at some time in their life and it is not a sign of cancer. But if you have cancer bad breath may be worse and happen more often because of your illness. There is more information about bad breath in the section on coping physically with cancer of CancerHelp UK.

Other symptoms of mouth cancer might include a lump or thickening on the lip, or in the mouth or throat, unusual bleeding or numbness in the mouth, loose teeth for no apparent reason, and difficulty moving the jaw.

Less serious conditions than cancer may cause many of these symptoms. But it is important that you report any of these symptoms to your doctor or dentist. UK GPs have guidelines that advise them about when they should think about referring people on to a mouth cancer specialist.