Oral cancer can appear in the mouth, lips, tongue, or throat. Fortunately, when addressed early by an oral surgeon, it’s treatable. Learn to recognize the initial symptoms so you know when to seek a professional diagnosis.

Symptoms

Oral cancer can manifest quickly or slowly. Many symptoms are dismissed as commonplace issues, which is why you should always let your dentist know about any changes to your oral health. You may need to see an oral surgeon if you notice the following symptoms:

• White or reddish patches inside the mouth
• Mouth pain
• A lump inside the mouth
• Difficulty swallowing
• Mouth or lip sores that won’t heal
• Ear pain
• Loose teeth

Risk Factors

Roughly 53,000 new cases of oral cancer are diagnosed each year in the U.S. The most common risk factor is heavy, long-term tobacco use, including cigars, cigarettes, chewing tobacco, and snuff. Alcoholism and HPV, a sexually transmitted virus, are other contributors. Increased sun exposure can lead to cancer in the lips.

Treatment Options

The primary treatment of oral cancer is surgery. An oral surgeon will remove the tumor and the healthy tissue around it to ensure all cancer cells are gone. If the cancer has spread to the neck, they may need to remove neck tissue and lymph nodes as well. Some people require reconstructive mouth surgery following tumor removal.

If you have concerns about oral cancer, consult Oral Surgery Associates of Alaska in Anchorage. Board-certified maxillofacial and oral surgeons Dr. William F. Bergeron, Jr. and Dr. Ray Holloway use state-of-the-art tools like the I-CAT 3-Dimensional Imaging CT Scan for procedures like jaw surgery and wisdom teeth removal. Explore their services further on their website, and call (907) 561-1430 to schedule an appointment. You can also follow their Facebook page for more oral health tips.