Stages, types and grades
Most mouth and oropharyngeal cancers start in squamous cells and are called squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Other types of mouth and oropharyngeal cancers include:
salivary gland cancer, including adenoid cystic tumours
lymphoma
melanoma
sarcoma
odontogenic tumours
Sometimes, patches in the mouth contain abnormal cells that can turn into cancer if left untreated. These patches are described as pre cancerous.
Read more about precancerous changes in the mouth
A growth or is not always a cancer. Non cancerous growths are called benign.
The main difference between a cancer and a benign tumour is that a cancer can spread, while a benign tumour does not. Some mouth and oropharyngeal tumours are benign and so don't spread to other parts of the body.
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is cancer starting in the squamous cells. These are the flat, skin like cells covering the inside of the mouth, nose, larynx and throat. Carcinoma means cancer.
More than 90 out of 100 (more than 90%) of all mouth and oropharyngeal cancers are SCC.
This is a type of squamous cell carcinoma. It rarely spreads to other body parts but can grow very deeply into surrounding tissues.
Other types of mouth and oropharyngeal cancer include the following:
There are minor salivary glands throughout the lining of the mouth and oropharynx. It is more common for a lump in this area to be non cancerous (benign). But cancers can develop in these glands.
The salivary glands are made up of a number of different types of cells. Acinic cells make and release saliva. Mucoepidermoid cells line the gland. Mucoepidermoid carcinomas are the most common type of salivary gland cancer.
Most salivary gland start in the parotid glands. Around 25 out of every 100 (around 25%) of these are cancer (malignant). Around 45 out of every 100 (around 45%) of tumours in the submandibular glands are cancer. Cancer can also start in the sublingual glands or the minor glands.
This is a rare type of tumour and can develop from glandular tissue in the salivary glands or the mouth. The parotid gland is the most common place to find this type of cancer.
Find out about salivary gland cancer
Lymphomas are cancers that start from cells in the lymphatic system. The base of the tongue and tonsils are made up of lymph tissue that can develop into cancer. There are also many lymph nodes in the neck.
Painless swelling of a lymph node is the most common sign of lymphoma. Treatment for lymphoma will be different to treatment for mouth or oropharyngeal cancer.
Melanoma develops from the pigment producing cells that give skin its colour. It is not a very common type of mouth or oropharyngeal cancer. Between 1 and 2 out of every 100 (between 1 and 2%) of mouth cancers are melanomas.
Melanomas of the head and neck can occur anywhere on the skin or inside the nose or mouth.
Some treatments for melanomas in the mouth are different to squamous cell cancers. You can read about melanoma treatment in the melanoma section.
Soft tissue sarcomas are cancers that develop in the connective and supporting tissues of the body. These include bone and muscle. Although it is not very common sarcomas can develop in the mouth and the tongue.
Read more about soft tissue sarcomas
Odontogenic tumours start in the jaw and teeth. They are caused by abnormal cells in the tissue that form teeth. These tumours can be non cancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant).
To decide what treatment you need your doctor looks at the type, grade and stage of your cancer.
Last reviewed: 26 Jul 2024
Next review due: 26 Jul 2027
Mouth and oropharyngeal cancer develop when abnormal cells in the mouth and oropharynx divide and grow uncontrollably.
Your GP will ask you about your symptoms and they might examine you. They may arrange tests or a referral to a specialist.
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.
Getting practical and emotional support can help you cope with your diagnosis, and life during and after treatment.
Tongue cancer is classed as a mouth or oropharyngeal cancer. This depends on whether it starts in the front or the back of the tongue.
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