Oral Cancer

Why choose us for oral cancer care?

Oral cancers form on surfaces inside your mouth. These cancers can affect important ways that you interact with your world, including how you eat, swallow, speak and breathe. Head and neck cancer experts at Mays Cancer Center, home to UT Health San Antonio MD Anderson Cancer Center, are here for you.

We are one of the few centers in South Texas with a highly skilled team of oral cancer specialists. Our team of head and neck cancer experts includes head and neck surgeons, dentists, speech therapists and reconstructive surgeons. We use a whole-person approach, so you receive appropriate therapies during each phase of treatment.

Oral cancer is one of many complex forms of head and neck cancer we treat. Read more about our head and neck cancer program.

What you need to know about oral cancer?

• Your dentist or primary care provider may detect the early signs of oral cancer. Dentists frequently perform oral cancer screenings, examining surfaces inside your mouth for abnormal growths, as part of a regular checkup.
• You face a higher risk of oral cancer if you use tobacco and drink alcohol regularly. Avoiding these substances may help you avoid a cancer diagnosis or allow treatments to work better. Read more about tobacco use and cancer.
• Oral cancer requires multiple tests, appointments and treatments. Our dedicated head and neck cancer nurse navigator helps coordinate appointments so that you can focus on your health.

How to talk to your doctor about oral cancer

Finding out you have oral cancer may come as a surprise. You may have been living with symptoms like mouth sores for a long time. We help you plan for treatment and recovery by explaining your options and how they work

You might want to ask your doctor about:

• Additional testing you may need, including high-resolution imaging studies, to help plan treatments
• Diagnosis, including the precise location of the cancer and how advanced it is
• Treatments, which typically include surgery, and perhaps chemotherapy or radiation therapy
• Supportive therapies, including specialized dental care to keep you comfortable

Tailoring therapies to your needs means we include your input in care decisions. You are welcome to bring loved ones with you to appointments to help you communicate your preferences.

Types

Oral cancer can affect the:

• Tongue
• Floor of the mouth
• Gums
• Inner lining of the cheek
• Lips
• Roof of the mouth (hard palate)
• Salivary glands

Symptoms

Symptoms of oral cancer may include:

• Sores in your mouth that do not heal
• Bleeding
• Loose teeth
• Pain or difficulty swallowing
• Numbness in the face, neck or lower lip

Diagnosis

Tests we use to diagnose oral cancer include:

• Oral exam to thoroughly assess abnormal growths
• Imaging studies, such as computed tomography (CT) scan, to pinpoint cancer size and location
• Tissue biopsy to take a sample of the tumor using specialized tools and techniques

A doctor who specializes in diagnosing cancer (pathologist) examines the biopsy tissue under a microscope. Our team includes highly skilled pathologists who have experience detecting oral cancer, so you can rely on our precise diagnosis.

Our head and neck cancer team meets regularly in meetings called tumor boards to review test findings and develop care recommendations

Treatment

Oral cancer treatment often includes surgery to remove the tumor as a first step. You receive services from fellowship-trained head and neck surgeons who use advanced surgical techniques. Find out more about cancer surgery.

Surgery sometimes includes removing some of the tongue or part of the jawbone if cancer has spread. You may need an additional procedure to repair (reconstruct) the area. Read more about head and neck reconstructive surgery.

Head and neck cancer treatment can bring changes that require other therapies, including:

• Dental care for dry mouth: We may recommend a specialized mouthwash to keep your mouth moist, which lowers the risk of infections and dental problems.
• Speech therapy for trouble speaking or swallowing: We share exercises to help you regain the strength and coordination to swallow and talk. Read more about speech therapy during cancer treatment.
• Nutrition therapy for difficulty eating: Our dietitians help by suggesting foods that are easier to eat or liquid nutrition, if necessary.

Research and Clinical Trials

Mays Cancer Center is home to a nationally recognized research program. Eligible patients have access to clinical trials for innovative therapies. You may be able to receive these therapies years before they become widely available.

Read more about cancer research and clinical trials.