Mouth cancer

Overview

Mouth cancer (oral cancer or oral cavity cancer) is one type of head and neck cancer that can occur on the lips, gums, tongue, inside lining of the cheeks, salivary glands, or the roof and floor of the mouth. Cancers at the back of the mouth in the upper throat, including tonsil cancer, are considered oropharyngeal cancers, another type of head and neck cancer. People at highest risk of mouth cancer include those with a history of tobacco or alcohol use, or chronic irritation and infection in the mouth.

Treatment for mouth cancer, including surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy, can affect your ability to swallow and speak. So access to experienced, state-of-the art medical care is vital to maintain quality of life.

Why choose Mayo Clinic for mouth cancer

• Expertise and teamwork. Your care will be directed by ear, nose and throat (ENT) experts specializing in head and neck cancers who coordinate your multispecialty team. Team members may include experts in radiation oncology, medical oncology, plastic and reconstructive surgery, rehabilitation therapies, and other specialties as needed.
• Latest treatments, including minimally invasive techniques. At Mayo Clinic, your doctors use the latest treatment options and technology, such as intensity-modulated radiation therapy. Transoral robotic surgery, which provides improved precision and typically has fewer complications, is an option for some mouth cancers. Clinical trials may be available to access new, promising therapies.
• Comprehensive Cancer Center. Mayo Clinic Cancer Center meets strict standards for a National Cancer Institute comprehensive cancer center, recognizing scientific excellence and a multispecialty approach focused on cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., and in Jacksonville, Fla., are ranked among the Best Hospitals for cancer by U.S. News & World Report.

Mayo Clinic: Answers you can trust

At Mayo Clinic, we assemble a team of specialists who take the time to listen and thoroughly understand your health issues and concerns. We tailor the care you receive to your personal health care needs. You can trust our specialists to collaborate and offer you the best possible outcomes, safety and service.

Mayo Clinic is a not-for-profit medical institution that reinvests all earnings into improving medical practice, research and education. We're constantly involved in innovation and medical research, finding solutions to improve your care and quality of life. Your doctor or someone on your medical team is likely involved in research related to your condition.

Our patients tell us that the quality of their interactions, our attention to detail and the efficiency of their visits mean health care — and trusted answers — like they've never experienced.

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