Is there a cure for mouth cancer?

Over the past decade, there has been significant progress in treating mouth cancer. Particularly with early detection and treatment, many people with mouth cancer are able to live active lives. However, mouth cancer is often diagnosed too late for early treatment. As a result, only about half of the people with mouth cancer live longer than five years after the initial diagnosis.

Make sure you know the risk factors and warning signs of mouth cancer. Most importantly, see your dentist twice a year for routine checkups. If you notice a red or white patch or ulcer in your mouth, have your dentist check it out right away. Most mouth ulcers are benign, but if you do have mouth cancer, early diagnosis and treatment is critical.

Mouth cancer can be successfully treated some of the time. It depends how far the cancer has spread and progressed. If caught early, it can often be treated with surgery or radiation. If tumors have spread to the lymph nodes, then the probability of full recovery diminishes significantly. Someone who has had mouth cancer is at greater risk for having mouth cancer appear again.