Symptoms of oral cancer include:
- red, or red and white, patches on the lining of your mouth or tongue
- one or more mouth ulcers that do not heal after three weeks
- a swelling in your mouth that lasts for more than three weeks
- pain when swallowing (dysphagia)
- a tooth, or teeth, that becomes loose for no obvious reason
- a persistent pain in the neck
- a hoarse voice
- unexplained weight loss
- unusual changes in your sense of taste
- earache
- the lymph nodes (glands) in your neck become swollen
When to seek medical advice
Many of the symptoms listed above can also be caused by less serious conditions, such as minor infections, that do not usually require a medical diagnosis.
It is strongly recommended that you visit your GP if you develop any of the symptoms listed above and they last for more than three weeks. Symptoms of an infection usually clear up much sooner than this. It is especially important to seek medical advice if you are a heavy drinker or smoker.
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