Oral tumors are lesions in or around the mouth. They can either be benign (harmless) or malignant (cancerous).

Early detection is very important in controlling oral tumors. Your Vanderbilt dentist can perform an oral cancer examination at your semi-annual dental checkup. The cancer screening is quick and painless.

If you have an oral lesion that has been present for 2 weeks or is growing you should see your dentist or oral surgeon.

A biopsy is the best way to determine whether a lesion is cancerous. It requires removal of a tissue sample for examination. If the biopsy shows that cancer is present, you will need to undergo tests and further examinations to find out how much the cancer has developed and spread.

• A sore, irritation, lump or thickening in the mouth, lip, or throat
• A white or red patch in the mouth
• A feeling that something is stuck in your throat
• Difficulty chewing or swallowing
• Difficulty moving your jaw or tongue
• Numbness in your tongue or other areas of your mouth
• Swelling in the jaw that causes dentures to fit poorly or become uncomfortable
• Pain in one ear without hearing loss

Oral cancers are often treated with surgery to remove the tumor. Some cancers will also be treated with radiation therapy or a combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Depending on the size and location benign oral tumors usually need to be surgically removed.