Oral Cancer Versus Canker Sore: How Do They Differ?

(CTN News) _ It is common for people to experience a oral cancer versus canker sore at some point in their lives. Any moist, fleshy surface inside the mouth can develop these small, often painful lesions.

The cheek, tongue, roof, and gums are included in this category.

Canker sores typically heal on their own within two to three weeks. How can you determine whether a mouth ulcer is a sign of oral cancer or a harmless canker sore?

How do canker sores differ from oral cancers?

“Canker sores” are not medical terms. Some people use it for a variety of unrelated conditions. For the sake of this article, we can keep calling them that, but the scientific name is actually “aphthous ulcers.”

In the mouth, aphthous ulcers are painful little sores. The cause isn’t known, but most resolve on their own.

Do canker sores develop in other locations on the body, too?

No. Only moist oral surfaces develop aphthous ulcers.

A yeast overgrowth called “candida” or a vitamin B deficiency can cause angular cheilitis or perlèche, which causes painful cracks in the corners of your mouth.

Lip or mouth ulcers, especially if tingling precedes them, are usually caused by the herpes virus. Cold sores or fever blisters are also called these.

Are there any other conditions that can cause ulcers inside the mouth?

Sure. Ulcers can be caused by many things other than cancer. To name a few, they include chickenpox, shingles, lichen planus, and hand, foot, and mouth disease.

How can someone tell if a mouth ulcer is an oral cancer instead of just a canker sore?

Here are the qualities I look for:

• They look angry because of inflamed tissue surrounding their edges. Cancers don’t usually do that. Also, canker sores are flat. There is often a tiny lump or bump under the lesions in oral cancer.
• Early stages of oral cancer are not painful. It’s not. Healing removes soreness.
• Changes: See a doctor if you have a small spot that grows larger, a white spot that turns red, or a lesion that bleeds when it didn’t use to.
• Is the lesion getting worse or better over time? It usually takes two to three weeks for canker sores to heal. You should see a doctor if yours doesn’t.

Do cancer patients need to be aware of anything regarding canker sores?

Chemotherapy patients often get mouth ulcers. Every month, I see a lot of patients who think they have cancer.