Overview By Mayo Clinic Staff Print Lip cancerLip cancerLip cancer may appear as a sore on your lip that doesn't heal. Mouth cancer — white patchesMouth cancer — white patchesMouth cancer signs may include bleeding, swelling, white patches or redness in your mouth. Mouth cancer — red soreMouth cancer — red soreMouth cancer signs may include red sores that don't heal. Mouth cancer refers to cancer that develops in any of the parts that make up the mouth. Mouth cancer can occur on the: Lips Gums Tongue Inner lining of the cheeks Roof of the mouth Floor of the mouth Cancer that occurs on the inside of the mouth is sometimes called oral cancer or oral cavity cancer. Mouth cancer is one of several types of cancer grouped in a category called head and neck cancers. Mouth cancer and other head and neck cancers are often treated similarly. Mayo Clinic's approach Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic Symptoms & causes Oct. 21, 2016 Print Share on: FacebookTwitter References Flint PW, et al. Malignant neoplasms of the oral cavity. In: Cummings Otolaryngology: Head & Neck Surgery. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2015. http://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Oct. 26, 2015. Head and neck cancers. Fort Washington, Pa.: National Comprehensive Cancer Network. http://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/f_guidelines.asp. Accessed Oct. 26, 2015. What you need to know about oral cancer. National Cancer Institute. http://www.cancer.gov/publications/patient-education/wyntk-oral-cancer. Accessed Oct. 26, 2015. Lip and oral cavity cancer treatment (PDQ). National Cancer Institute. http://www.cancer.gov/types/head-and-neck/hp/lip-mouth-treatment-pdq. Accessed Oct. 26, 2015. The oral cancer exam. National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/OralHealth/Topics/OralCancer/TheOralCancerExam.htm. Accessed Oct. 26, 2015. Cancer-related fatigue. Fort Washington, Pa.: National Comprehensive Cancer Network. http://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/f_guidelines.asp. Accessed Oct. 26, 2015. Erbitux (prescribing information). Branchburg, N.J.: Eli Lilly and Company; 2015. http://www.erbitux.com. Accessed Oct. 27, 2015. AskMayoExpert. Head and neck cancers. Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2015. Cook AJ. Allscripts EPSi. Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. March 30, 2016. Van Abel, KM. (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. June 14, 2016. RelatedTransoral robotic surgeryCT scanX-rayNeedle biopsyOral cancer screening Mayo Clinic in Minnesota is has been recognized as one of the top hospitals in Ear, Nose & Throat in the nation for 2016-2017 by U.S. News & World Report. Learn more about this top honor Mouth cancerOverviewSymptoms & causesDiagnosis & treatmentRequest an appointmentDiagnosisTreatmentDepartments & specialtiesExpertise & rankingsLocations, travel & lodgingClinical trialsResearchCosts & insurancePreparing for your appointmentSelf-managementMore aboutIn-DepthMultimediaResourcesNews from Mayo Clinic Advertisement Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Advertising & Sponsorship Policy Opportunities Ad Choices Mayo Clinic Store Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic. The Mayo Clinic Diet BookMedical News From a Trusted SourceMayo Clinic on Healthy AgingA New Perspective on Alzheimer'sThe Mayo Clinic Diet Online Diagnosis & treatmentRequest an appointmentDiagnosisTreatmentDepartments & specialtiesExpertise & rankingsLocations, travel & lodgingClinical trialsResearchCosts & insurancePreparing for your appointment CON-20155327 Patient Care & Health Information Diseases & Conditions Mouth cancer