Mouth sores or mouth ulcers that do not heal and red bumps and spots on the gums, tongue, lips, and throat are the most well-known symptoms of oral cancer. Nevertheless, they are not the only ones. It is important to be aware of the less common signs of illness.
Oral cancer, also known as cancer of the lip and oral cavity, is a malignant tumor that can appear on the surface of the tongue, inside the cheeks, on the roof of the mouth (palate), or above the lips. Dinner.
Less frequently, it can also develop in the glands that produce saliva, in the tonsils at the back of the mouth and pharynx, according to the National Cancer Institute (Inca).
Some patients may develop hoarseness, ringing in the ears and an inability to stick the tongue out of the mouth, for example. Learn about six less common symptoms of the disease:
Hoarsely
Changes in the voice, which may become hoarse, lower, or as if a person has a cold, are some signs of oral cancer if the tumor is near the back of the throat.
The swelling in the mouth caused by the disease can also cause stickiness (talking with the tongue between the teeth), which interferes with the pronunciation of certain words. Karen explains that speech can also be affected by the presence of cancer cells on the tongue.
Tongue Tied
In addition to a lisp, oral cancer can restrict the movement of the tongue and make it difficult for a person to straighten it. It is most common in cancers of the tongue, soft palate, or lip, and has also been associated with squamous cell carcinomas.
Ear Pain and Numbness of the Mouth.
Depending on the location of the tumor, the patient may experience ear pain, unexplained and persistent numbness in the mouth, or jaw stiffness, as it can affect the surrounding nerves, bones, tissues, organs, and glands. The size of the tumor and how much it affects the mouth also affects the progression of symptoms.
Ringing in the Ear
Oral cancer patients may hear a hissing or hissing sound and feel a throbbing in the ear. The symptoms are caused by tumors located near the jaw, ear, or nose, as they affect the nerves in the area.
Loose Tooth
Bumps, injuries, cracks and bleeding gums can cause patients’ teeth to loosen spontaneously, according to the UK’s National Health Service (NHS). You may also notice increased difficulty in healing after extraction.
Experts warn that even if it is not oral cancer, tooth loss is not normal and the patient should see a doctor for a proper evaluation.
Weightloss
Patients facing oral cancer have more difficulty eating. Eating and swallowing becomes painful with lumps and sores present. As a result, they end up losing their appetite and losing weight.
“In most cases, these will be signs of something less serious than cancer. But it’s important to tell your doctor or dentist if you notice any of these symptoms or anything else that isn’t normal for you.”
