Oral Cancer
Oral cancer is a type of head and neck cancer that develops when abnormal cells within the lining of the cheeks, gums, roof of the mouth, tongue, or lips grow uncontrollably. Often times, oropharyngeal cancer-that affects the soft palate, side and back walls of the throat, back third of the tongue, and the tonsils-is lumped under this term, too.

Tobacco and alcohol use are the major risk factors for the disease, but there are others, including infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV). The most common symptoms of oral cancer are a non-healing sore or persistent mouth pain. A biopsy is needed to confirm the diagnosis. Depending on the location and spread of the cancer, treatment varies, but generally entails surgery, radiation, and/or chemotherapy.

The vast majority of oral cancers are squamous cell cancers. Squamous cells are the thin, flat cells that line the mouth and throat. Much less commonly, non-squamous cell oral cancers like salivary gland tumors or lymphoma may develop.