Stages, types and grades for mouth and oropharyngeal cancer

The stage of mouth or oropharyngeal cancer tells you how big it is and whether it has spread. There are different ways of staging mouth or oropharyngeal cancer. There is the TNM system and the number staging system. The number staging system includes 4 stages – from stage 1 to stage 4.

The type tells you which type of cell the cancer started in. The grade means how abnormal the cells look under the microscope.

Doctors stage mouth cancers differently to oropharyngeal cancers. Mouth cancers start in different parts of the mouth, including the lips, gums or soft sides of the mouth. Oropharyngeal cancer starts in the oropharynx which is the part of the throat (pharynx) just behind the mouth. It includes tonsil cancer and cancer in the back part of the tongue.

Precancerous changes in the mouth and oropharynx

Leukoplakia, erythroplakia and erythroleukoplakia are three medical conditions that can cause abnormal areas in the mouth or throat.

Types of mouth and oropharyngeal cancers

Most mouth and oropharyngeal cancers are squamous cell cancers. But there are less common types. 

Tongue cancer

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.  

TNM stages for mouth cancer

TNM stands for tumour, node and metastases. It is one of the staging systems doctors use for mouth cancer. 

Number stages and grades of mouth cancer

There are 4 main stages in this system (stage 1 to 4). Some doctors also use stage 0. 

Stages and grades of oropharyngeal cancer

The TNM staging and the number staging systems are used to stage oropharyngeal cancer.

Last reviewed: 
17 Jul 2024
Next review due: 
17 Jul 2027