Oral Cancer

Oral cancer is most often a squamous cell carcinoma arising from the lining of the mouth or oropharynx. The principal risk factors are tobacco use, heavy alcohol consumption, chronic sun exposure (for lip cancer), and infection with high-risk HPV strains, particularly HPV-16. Warning signs include a non-healing ulcer lasting more than two weeks, a red or white patch (erythroplakia or leukoplakia), a lump, persistent sore throat, or unexplained numbness. Dentists routinely perform an oral cancer screening at check-ups by visually inspecting and palpating the lips, tongue, floor of the mouth, palate, and lymph nodes; early detection dramatically improves survival.