Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common type of mouth cancer. According to 2006 information from the Merck Manual, approximately 40 percent of squamous cell growths begin on the floor of the mouth or on the tongue; 40 percent develop on the lower lip; and the remainder start on the roof of the mouth or the tonsils. Smoking, chewing tobacco and excessive drinking of alcohol place an individual at risk for developing mouth cancer. According to 2009 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the five 5-year survival rate is 50 percent, but detecting the disease early improves the patient's prognosis.
Abnormal Surface Appearance
Squamous cell cancers can be difficult to identify and may take various forms such as sores, lumps or discolorations. The most common sign is an open sore that does not heal, according to the Merck Manual. These sores, or ulcers, erode into underlying tissues and bleed intermittently. Growths may be white or red and may be smooth or raised. If a lump forms, it will be hard and immovable, unlike benign lumps that move freely. Cancers in the lining of the mouth, gums or tongue may appear as white or red patches rather than sores or lumps. Smokers may have a brown, freckle-like area on the lip instead. Suspicious lesions should be biopsied to determine if they are malignant, according to the CDC.
Pain
Mouth cancer begins to hurt when the nearby nerves are affected, according to the Merck Manual. The first sign of discomfort due to cancer of the tongue or the roof of the mouth is often a sore throat that does not go away after several weeks. As the disease progresses, the pain in the affected area becomes more persistent and may be referred to other parts of the body, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Alteration in Function
Squamous cell cancer can cause symptoms that interfere with the normal functions of the mouth due to discomfort and swelling in the affected area. The patient may complain of difficulties chewing or swallowing, according to the Merck Manual. He may have a persistent feeling that something is stuck in his throat, or have problems moving his tongue. Some patients complain of numbness in the tongue or other areas of the mouth, while others experience persistent hoarseness, according to the CDC. As the disease progresses, swallowing becomes more difficult and the patient may have difficulty breathing because the airway becomes obstructed.
