What are the symptoms of a cancer in the mouth? When should I see a specialist?

Most cancers in the mouth develop on the red lining tissue (mucosa) in side the mouth.

Cancer of the mouth is very uncommon and makes up about 1 in every 300 cancers. About 1100 people in England and Wales develop the condition each year. Cancer of the mouth is almost twice as common in men as in women.

The risk of getting a cancer of the mouth is greater if:

• you are a smoker
• you drink heavily
• you chew tobacco, betal, gutkha or pan
• you have a poor diet
• you are over 55 years old

The main symptom of a cancer of the mouth is a visible ulcer (sore, raw, area) in the lining of the mouth. 80 out of every 100 people with cancer of the mouth develop a visible ulcer. Other symptoms are pain in the mouth and a lump in the neck.

The Department of Health has given guidelines to family doctors (GPs) suggesting they should arrange an urgent appointment with a specialist to check for anyone who comes with any of the following problems:

• a mouth ulcer that has been there for more than three weeks
• a swelling in the mouth that has been there for more than three weeks
• red or white patches on the lining inside the mouth
• a lump in the neck that has been there for more than three weeks

The guidelines also advise GP's to be particularly aware of the risk of mouth cancers in men over 45 who smoke heavily or drink a lot of alcohol or chew tobacco, betel, gutkha or pan.

These problems in the mouth can have other causes apart from cancer but the important thing is that if you develop any of these symptoms you should see your GP who can discuss them with you and, if they think it is necessary, arrange an appointment with a specialist to be on the safe side.