Symptoms of Oral Cancer
Oral cancer is a type of head and neck cancer that affects the mouth, as well as the gums, lips, the inner lining of the cheeks, and tongue. Often, cancer of the oropharynx (which includes the tonsils, soft palate, back third of the tongue, and the back and side walls of the throat) is also lumped under the term "oral cancer." There are a number of symptoms associated with oral cancer, and they vary depending on the location of the cancer, as well as how far it has spread. Likewise, there are various complications that may occur as a direct result of oral cancer (for example, difficulty chewing) or as a result of treatment (for example, radiation-induced mouth sores).

Frequent Symptoms
While some oral cancers are discovered incidentally from a doctor or dentist, others are brought to attention based on a person's symptoms. Some of the more frequent symptoms of oral cancer include:

Non-healing sore or blister: A sore or blister in the mouth or on the lip that won't heal is the most common sign of oral cancer. Those that last longer than two weeks warrant a trip to the doctor.
Persistent pain: Generalized pain in the mouth or throat that will not go away is something you shouldn’t ignore, even if you can’t pinpoint the source.

White or red patch inside the mouth: This, especially if found on the floor of the mouth or the underside of the tongue, is a common sign of oral cancer. In the early stages, these white patches (called leukoplakia) and raised, red patches (called erythroplakia) are signs of a pre-cancerous condition known as dysplasia. If left untreated, they can worsen and become cancerous. Moreover, any unusual bleeding from these patches (or any bleeding in the mouth of an unknown origin) is a definite sign you should visit your doctor immediately.

Difficulty with mouth movements: Any difficulty chewing or speaking, moving the jaw, moving the tongue, or a feeling that there is something foreign in the throat should be checked by a doctor as soon as possible. While these symptoms may be caused by any number of other health conditions, it's best to get it evaluated by your primary care doctor or an ear/nose/throat (ENT) specialist.

Swelling or lump: Any swelling or lump formation in the cheek, jaw, or neck should also be checked. In some cases, the formation may be accompanied by an unexplained numbness and/or pain in the area. At other times, there is little, if any, pain.

Teeth or jaw changes: Any changes to the way your teeth fit together as if there was a sudden and unexplained change of jaw alignment, is a potential symptom of oral cancer. This may include dentures not fitting correctly or comfortably, as well as loose or painful teeth.