Mouth and oropharyngeal cancer

Mouth and oropharyngeal cancer develop when abnormal cells in the mouth and oropharynx divide and grow uncontrollably.

Symptoms of mouth and oropharyngeal cancer include a mouth ulcer that doesn't heal or a swelling or lump in the neck.

Your GP will ask you about your symptoms and they might examine you. They may arrange tests or a referral to a specialist.

Survival depends on many factors including the stage and grade of your cancer.

Your treatment depends on where in your mouth or oropharynx your cancer is, the type, how big it is, whether it has spread anywhere else in your body and your general health.

The stage of a cancer tells you about its size and whether it has spread. The type means the type of cell the cancer started from. The grade means how abnormal the cells look under the microscope.

We don't know what causes most mouth or oropharyngeal cancers. But there are some factors that can increase your risk of developing it.

Advanced mouth and oropharyngeal cancer is cancer that started in the mouth or oropharynx and has spread to another part of the body.

All treatments must be fully researched before they can be adopted as standard treatment for everyone.

Getting practical and emotional support can help you cope with your diagnosis, and life during and after treatment.