Cancer can occur on the roof of the mouth, the floor of the mouth, the tongue, the lips, the tonsils or the throat. There are approximately 30,000 cases of mouth cancer in the United States each year, accounting for 2 percent of all cancer, according to the Merck Manuals. When caught early, the cancer can usually be treated. Many mouth cancers, however, are often not detected until too late, resulting in a 25 percent mortality rate as reported by the Merck Manuals.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma is a cancer that begins in the small flat skin cells. Ninety percent of all mouth cancers are squamous cell carcinoma, according to statistics provided by Cancer Help UK. Squamous cell carcinoma tumors may appear on the floor of the mouth, the side or bottom of the tongue or the inside of the lip. These tumors can form an ulcer that may bleed periodically. Although painless at first, squamous cell tumors will eventually affect the nerves, resulting in pain.
Salivary Gland Cancer
Salivary glands are small glands found throughout the lining of the mouth responsible for secreting saliva, the fluid that contains enzymes to break down food. Approximately 70 percent of all salivary gland tumors begin in the parotid glands according to the American Cancer Society. The parotid glands are the largest of the salivary glands, with one on each side of the face just in front of the ears.
The most common type of salivary gland tumor is a adenocarcinoma, a tumor that begins in the cells of a gland. Salivary gland adenocarcinomas are further classified based on where they begin and how they progress.
Adenoid Cystic Cancer
Adenoid cystic cancer is a rare form of tumor that can form in the salivary glands or in the mouth. These tumors are often slow growing and can be difficult to remove as they often return even after surgical removal. That makes these tumors unique in that the 5 year survival rate is 89 percent but the 15 year survival rate is 40 percent due to the return of tumors, according to the Oral Cancer Foundation.
Because these tumor progress slowly, they may at first appear as a small, painless mass in the mouth. These tumors can invade the nerves, so as they grow nerve pain or even paralysis is possible.
Lymphomas
Lymphoma is a cancer that begins in the cells of the lymph nodes. The lymph nodes and lymph tissue contain lymphocytes, cells that are an important part of the immune system. There is lymph tissue found in the mouth at the base of the tongue and in the tonsils. A lymphoma can cause swelling in the area of the tumor but generally does not cause pain.
Melanomas
Melanomas are tumors that begin in the pigment cells of the skin. A melanoma of the mouth is known as mucosal melanoma and may appear as a brown or discolored area on the gums, tongue or lining of the mouth.
