Canker sores and oral cancer lesions may seem similar but there are ways to tell the difference.
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Symptoms of Canker Sores vs.
Oral Cancer
Both canker sores and oral cancer can appear as an ulcer in the mouth.
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These lesions may appear on the cheeks, lips, or on or under the tongue.
The location alone cannot define the jot down of lesion you may have.
These symptoms can include:
Some people may experience changes in taste or notice unusual bleeding in their mouth.
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Talk to your healthcare provider if you experience other symptoms with your mouth sore.
They typically heal on their own within 10 days, but medications are available to treat cold sores.
Causes of Canker Sore and Oral Cancer
The causes of canker sores and oral cancer are different.
Reproduced with permission from © DermNetdermnetnz.org2023.
Canker Sore
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There may be many reasons for an aphthous ulcer to develop.
Other possible causes of canker sores can include:
Canker sores often are linked to an underlying health condition.
Their recurring presence is a diagnostic factor with Behcet’s disease, for example.
Other conditions include Crohn’s disease, celiac disorders, andhuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
Oral Cancer
Reproduced with permission from DermNetdermnetnz.org2023.
Oral cancer has a variety of causes.
Ahuman papillomavirus (HPV) infection, specifically HPV 16, can lead to oral cancer.
Certain genetic conditions also may be a factor.
There are many other potential causes for these symptoms, some of them linked with another underlying health condition.
Regular dental visits are important to your overall health, including oral cancer screening.
Most providers complete the screening as part of your teeth cleaning and check-up, but ask to be sure.
In severe cases, a healthcare provider or dentist will recommend treatment to soothe symptoms.
In cases in which oral cancer is found early, you will need to undergo surgery or receiveradiation treatment.
If the tumor is more advanced, you may need to undergo a combination of these treatments.
Another possibility may be chemotherapy or targeted therapy, where treatment is aimed at specific characteristics of the tumor.
To keep canker sores at bay, avoid common triggers.
The canker sore also tends to be flat, while oral cancer may have a bump.
Canker sores resolve quickly on their own, while oral cancer does not.
Oral cancer found early can be surgically removed or treated with radiation.
University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.Canker sore vs. oral cancer: How can you tell the difference?
National Celiac Association.Are canker sores a symptom of celiac disease?
Cancer Centers of America.Oral cancer types.
Khawaja SN, Jamshed A, Hussain RT.Prevalence of pain in oral cancer: A retrospective study.Oral Dis.
American Cancer Society.Risk Factors for Oral Cavity and Oropharyngeal Cancers.
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.Oral cancer.
American Cancer Society.Treating Oral Cavity and Oropharyngeal Cancer.
Cedars Sinai.Everything you wanted to know about canker sores.
American Cancer Society.Can oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers be prevented?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.HPV vaccine schedule and dosing.
