What's mouth cancer like?

Non-healing ulcer: The general presentation of oral cancer is a mass, ulcer, bleeding from the lesion, change in existing whitish plaques etc.

Varies: Oral cancers vary widely in appearance. Ulcerations that do not heal may be malignant. White patches or red areas, called leukoplakia or erythroplakia, respectively, are of concern. As you cannot identify cancer by exam alone, these changes must be checked and evaluated with brush biopsy, incisional or excisional biopsy and microscopic exam. Floor of mouth and base of tongue are common sites.

Varied: It can be an ulcer, a mass or lump, a red or white patch. Any change you note in our mouth can be cancer. See an oral surgeon for exam and possible biopsy.