Pathology

Symptoms of Oral Cancer

There are many symptoms of mouth cancer that you should be aware of. Occasionally, lumps or sores can form inside the oral cavity and could be a sign of a pathologic process, or cancerous growth. The most serious of these is oral cancer. The following are symptoms of oral cancer, or signs of the beginning of a pathologic process:

• A lump or thickening on the gum lining
• Red or white patches in the oral cavity
• Difficulty swallowing or chewing
• Sores that bleed easily or heals slowly

There are also other abnormal findings that may be found in the mouth or on the face. All abnormal lesions or findings which are present for more than two weeks should be evaluated by your doctor, and biopsied if indicated. Lesions or cysts may also be associated with wisdom teeth, and may not be noticed until routine x-rays are taken for the evaluation or extraction of wisdom teeth.

Do not ignore suspicious lumps or sores. If you suspect that you may have symptoms of of mouth cancer, of if you have any other unusual lesions, please contact our office to find out more about services we provide, and to learn more about our oral and maxillofacial surgeon, Dr. Cohen. To schedule an appointment, please call us at (212) 988-6725.