Oral Cancer Symptoms: What You Need to Know

As with all cancers, early detection or oral cancer is critical for its treatment. Dr. Dunia Korous performs an oral cancer screenings on all her Frisco and Little Elm patients during routine exams.

Dr. Korous will look for signs and symptoms and refer you to a specialist when needed, but what symptoms should be on the lookout for? Learning these common symptoms of oral cancer could save your or a loved one’s life.

What are common symptoms of oral cancer?

The American Dental Association advises patients to be alert for the following symptoms:

• Sore throat
• Pain, tenderness or numbness in your mouth or lips
• Patches of red and white
• Difficulty when swallowing, speaking, chewing or in moving your jaw or tongue
• Lumps, thickenings, or rough spots in your mouth

Some patients also have reported feeling like something was caught in the back of their throat or noticed changes in their voice.

If you notice any of these symptoms and they last for two weeks or longer, call our office today to schedule an appointment.

I have one of these symptoms, should I be worried?

There are lots of reasons you could experience any of these symptoms and most of them are not cancer. If Dr. Korous sees something suspicious, she may refer you for additional testing. She also might have you return to the office in a week or two to check the spot again before determining if additional screening is needed.

Why is early detection so important?

Identifying and beginning treatment for cancer as early as possible greatly increases your chances of survival. When oral cancer is found before it spreads, the 5-year survival rate is 83 percent, compared to 36 percent after it has metastasized, according to the American Dental Association.

If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms listed above or have not had a recent dental exam, call us today to schedule your appointment at Millennium Smiles.