You always see pictures of sores in peoples mouth, how about a picture of what the surgeon removed to get rid of the cancer?

Surgery for oral cancer is often disfiguring. If the cancer is not caught right away, major surgery is often needed to take out parts of the mouth, tongue, or jaw. Head and neck radiation is often part of the treatment and can cause severe complications such as burned tissues, difficulty swallowing, and reduced saliva flow.

Oral Cancer Warning Signs:
  • A sore that bleeds easily and doesn’t heal
  • A lump or thickening anywhere in the mouth or throat
  • Soreness or swelling that doesn’t go away
  • A red, white, or red and white patch that doesn’t go away
  • Trouble chewing, swallowing, or moving the tongue or jaw
If you see any of these signs in your mouth, call your dentist immediately. The sooner you get help, the better are your chances of survival!

Facts about smokeless tobacco were gathered by the American Cancer Society.