What are the treatment options for mouth cancer?

Mouth cancer, also called oral cavity cancer, can affect areas such as the tongue, gums, inner cheek, floor of the mouth, or hard palate. The team considers the exact position and size of the tumour, nearby tissues, lymph nodes, and your ability to speak, swallow, and eat.

Tumour removal surgery aims to remove the cancer with a surrounding margin of tissue. A neck dissection may remove lymph nodes in the neck when they need treatment or assessment. Radiotherapy uses focused radiation to treat the mouth or neck and may be used after surgery or as the main treatment in selected situations. Reconstructive care, speech therapy, swallowing support, and dental planning may form part of recovery.

Ask whether you need a dental review before radiotherapy, and tell the team about loose teeth, dentures, smoking, alcohol use, swallowing difficulty, or recent weight change. Discuss how the proposed treatment could affect speech, chewing, saliva, taste, appearance, and neck movement. Arrange practical help with meals and transport if treatment makes eating or travelling difficult.

Get urgent medical advice for bleeding that does not stop, rapidly increasing swelling, severe difficulty breathing or swallowing, dehydration, or a fever during treatment. After surgery, new neck swelling, wound separation, or sudden weakness needs prompt review.

Where exactly is the tumour, and what tissues or lymph nodes need treatment? Would surgery, radiotherapy, or both give the best balance for me? Will I need reconstruction, dental care, or speech and swallowing support? Which symptoms should prompt a same-day call?