What is a tumor?

A tumor is a mass of abnormal cells. It's either slow-growing and not cancer (benign) or fast-growing and cancer (malignant). Some tumors, especially cancerous ones, can be life-threatening. But most tumors can be treated.

Who's at risk for a cancerous tumor?

You're more likely to get a tumor of the mouth or throat if you:

• Smoke cigarettes, pipes, or cigars

• Use chewing tobacco or snuff

• Drink alcohol

• Have poor oral health

• Are exposed to certain industrial chemicals

• Had a mouth or throat tumor in the past

• History of radiation exposure in the head or neck region

• Have a human papillomavirus (HPV) infection

• Are male (twice as common than females)

• Have poor nutrition and have extra body weight

Symptoms of a tumor in the mouth

If you have a mouth tumor, you or your healthcare provider may have noticed one or more of the following:

• White or red patches on the cheeks, tongue, palate, or gums

• Mouth pain or numbness that doesn’t go away

• A sore that doesn’t heal in 1 or 2 weeks

• Loose teeth without any obvious injury

• Bleeding from the mouth that doesn’t stop after a few days

• A swelling or lump that doesn’t go away

• Problems with your teeth, dentures, or chewing

Symptoms of a tumor in the throat

If you have a throat tumor, you or your healthcare provider may have noticed one or more of the following:

• Hoarseness that doesn’t go away

• Trouble swallowing

• A lump in your neck

• Throat pain that doesn’t go away

• Aching, pain, or pressure in your ear

• A lasting cough, with or without bloody sputum

• Unexplained weight loss