Oral cancers can cause many different symptoms. And, because they may develop on the tongue, lips, gums, cheek, hard palate or floor of the mouth, these symptoms vary widely. 

In the earlier stages of oral cancer, we tend to see more anatomical symptoms, such as a white patch on the gums or a lesion inside the cheek. As oral cancer becomes more advanced, though, we start seeing pain and more functional symptoms, such as trouble...