Can You Recognize These Mouth Cancer Symptoms?

Mouth cancer often begins as painless discolored patches or tiny lumps in the mouth, and any lesion that doesn’t heal in two weeks should be evaluated by a healthcare professional. While not all abnormal oral signs are cancerous, early detection can dramatically improve treatment outcomes.

Early Changes to Look for in Mouth Cancer

Oral cancer can look different depending on the stage. One of the first signs might be a sore in the mouth that doesn’t heal, known as a mouth ulcer.

An early-stage, cancerous mouth ulcer may look like this:

Early-stage oral cancer may resemble a canker sore, but there are some key differences:

• Canker sores can be quite painful; oral cancers are often painless.
• Canker sores are usually flat; oral cancers often have a tiny lump under the lesion.
• Most canker sores heal on their own within two weeks; oral cancers get worse over time.

Discolored patches in the mouth—often with a velvety texture—can sometimes be an early sign of mouth cancer or precancerous changes. These patches may look:

• Red (erythroplakia)
• White (leukoplakia)
• Red and white (erythroleukoplakia)

The image shows a tongue with more advanced, cancerous erythroleukoplakia:

Discolored patches aren’t always cancerous. Studies show that leukoplakia is much less likely to develop into cancer than erythroplakia. Although rare, erythroplakia is more serious, with about 75% to 90% of cases becoming cancerous.

Uncommon Early Symptoms of Mouth Cancer to Consider

Besides ulcers and discolored patches, mouth cancer can cause a variety of early signs that may be less obvious but are important to notice.

In the early stages, you might notice:

• Thickening or lumps inside the cheek or gums that you can feel with your tongue or finger
• Persistent roughness or changes in texture inside the mouth, even if there’s no obvious color change
• A sore or spot that doesn’t heal, even if it’s not painful or visibly red or white
• Unexplained numbness or tingling in the lips, tongue, or inside the mouth
• Mild discomfort or a feeling of something caught in the throat without any clear cause

If you notice these changes persisting for more than two weeks, it could be a sign of early-stage oral cancer. These symptoms often appear before pain or other obvious issues develop.

Recognizing Signs of Advanced Oral Cancer

As oral cancer advances, physical changes in the mouth become more noticeable. Tumors may grow deeper, distort normal structures, and cause visible damage.

Larger growths can change the shape of the mouth or jaw. These masses often appear pale, red, or purple and may interfere with speaking, chewing, or swallowing.

Mouth cancer in the gum line may present like this:

As oral cancer advances, the physical changes in the mouth are often more obvious and alarming. Tumors may spread deeper into tissue, cause structural changes, and lead to visible damage that is difficult to ignore.

One of the most common signs of advanced oral cancer is a large ulcer that has thick, raised edges and a raw or cratered center, like this one:

In this stage, the ulcer often looks red or white at the center, with uneven borders. The surrounding tissue may appear swollen or discolored, and the affected area can feel firm or fixed in place.

Are There Other Signs of Advanced Mouth Cancer?

As oral cancer progresses, it can cause symptoms that affect how your mouth works—not just how it looks.

Common non-visible symptoms include:

• Persistent mouth pain
• Numbness or tingling in the lips, tongue, or jaw
• Difficulty chewing or swallowing
• Slurred speech or voice changes
• Loose teeth or dentures that no longer fit
• Swollen lymph nodes in the neck or under the jaw
• Limited jaw movement (trismus, or “lockjaw”)
• Ongoing ear pain without an ear infection

In more advanced cases, weight loss and fatigue may also occur, either due to pain with eating or loss of appetite. While these symptoms don’t always mean cancer, they should be evaluated if they last more than two weeks.

Where Does Oral Cancer Develop?

Oral cancer can develop in many different areas of the mouth, which is why its symptoms can vary widely. Common sites include the following:

• Tongue
• Lips
• Gums
• Inner cheek lining
• Hard palate (the roof of the mouth)
• Floor of the mouth beneath the tongue

Because these areas have different tissues and functions, the appearance and symptoms of oral cancer can differ depending on where it starts.

This variety makes it especially important to regularly check all parts of your mouth and report any unusual changes to a healthcare professional.

Can You Screen for Mouth Cancer at Home?

Regular dental checkups are important for keeping your mouth healthy and catching mouth cancer early. But you can also check your mouth yourself at home to see if anything looks or feels unusual.

The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons recommends doing a monthly self-exam. You’ll need a good mirror and a light to help you see inside your mouth.

To screen your mouth for cancer:

1. Take out any dentures or oral devices.
2. Look and feel inside your mouth, including your lips and the front part of your gums.
3. Tilt your head back and check the roof of your mouth.
4. Pull your cheeks away to check the inside surfaces and the back of your gums.
5. Stick out your tongue and look at all sides for sores or patches.
6. Feel your neck and lower jaw for any lumps or swollen areas.

If you notice anything unusual, it’s important to see a healthcare provider.

Could It Be Something Else?

Not every bump, sore, or patch in your mouth is cancer. Many other common conditions can look similar but are not harmful.

These include:

• Warts: Small growths caused by a virus
• Canker sores: Painful, round sores inside the mouth
• Cold sores: Fluid-filled blisters, usually on or around the lips
• Thrush: A fungal infection that causes white patches in the mouth
• Torus: A hard, bony lump on the roof of the mouth or lower jaw
• Mucocele: Soft, bubble-like bumps on the lips, tongue, or inside the mouth
• Fibroma: A firm, smooth lump on the inner cheek or lip
• Lichen planus: A condition that causes lacy white patches or bumps in the mouth
• Frictional hyperkeratosis: A white patch caused by repeated rubbing or irritation (like from a rough tooth or denture)

If you notice any new or unusual changes in your mouth, it’s best to have them checked—especially if they don’t go away in two weeks.

When to See a Healthcare Provider

If you notice a sore, lump, or patch that doesn’t go away after two weeks, see a healthcare provider, dentist, or oral specialist. Even if you’re unsure, it’s better to get it checked early.

You should also see your healthcare provider if you notice these signs:

• Ongoing mouth pain
• Trouble chewing, swallowing, or speaking
• Hoarseness or voice changes
• Unexplained weight loss
• Bleeding without a clear cause
• Numbness in the mouth
• A sore throat that won’t go away
• Feeling like something is stuck in your throat
• Jaw swelling
• Persistent ear pain

Even one of these symptoms, especially with a lesion or lump, is reason to get checked. Your provider may do a biopsy to rule out or confirm cancer.