clinical features

Last reviewed 01/2018

  • most lesions present either as a painful ulcer or as a painless lump on the lip or in the mouth
  • those with pain often report difficulty eating and speaking.
  • dysphagia may also signify tongue fixation.
  • an ulcer may cause halitosis.
  • tumours on the palate or alveoli may cause ill-fitting dentures
  • neck nodes are commonly felt in the submandibular area and in the upper deep jugular chain
  • other symptoms are a white or red patch on the gums, tongue or lining of the mouth, and unusual bleeding, pain or numbness in the mouth

Note that only a minority patients with oral lesions will have cancer, however (1).

Reference:

  1. NICE (2004). Improving the outcomes in head and neck cancers - the manual