Cancer of the mouth also known as oral cancer is a type of cancer that typically begins in the floor of your mouth and tongue, says MedlinePlus. Anybody can get mouth cancer but you put yourself at higher risk if you smoke, chew tobacco, drink alcohol or have a history of head or neck cancer. Surgery, radiation and chemotherapy to remove the cancerous cells are ways to destroy mouth cancer. Specific symptoms such as mouth sores, tongue problems and patch formations on the mouth plague mouth cancer sufferers.
Mouth Sores
Mouth sores, also known as fever blisters, are common manifestations of mouth cancer. It is a painful ulcer that forms on the mucus membranes of your gums or upper or lower lip. MedlinePlus says that these sores can seep deep into your mouth tissues and develop a hard edge. It is typically discolored in appearance and is initially painless and tiny. These mouth sores do not heal and can affect the way you talk and eat.
Patches
The National Cancer Institute says that mouth cancer can lead to the formation of patches in your mouth. Specifically, leukoplakia refers to white patches that develop on the mucus membranes of your mouth. Typically, these are harmless but progress toward malignancy. Like leukoplakia, erythroleukoplakia are also patches that form on your mouth's mucus membranes. However, they are red or white in color. Erythroplakia refers to smooth red patches that occur on your mouth's mucus membranes. The National Cancer Institute says that out of all the aforementioned patches, leukoplakia is the most common form of patch formations on the mouth.
Tongue Problems
MedlinePlus indicates that mouth cancer can also lead to tongue swelling, tongue pain and changes in your tongue's appearance. The tongue is an important component of your mouth that allows you to speak, eat and swallow. It is composed of muscles and it contains a wide variety of taste buds to allow you to enjoy and savor the foods that you eat. When mouth cancer invades your tongue, you can develop tongue pain, trouble moving your tongue and problems tasting food.
