National Cancer Institute

What You Need 

To Know About TM

Oral

Cancer

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF 

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

National Institutes of Health
National Cancer Institute Services

This is only one of many free booklets for

people with cancer.

You may want more information for yourself,

your family, and your doctor.

The NCI offers comprehensive research-based

information for patients and their families, health

professionals, cancer researchers, advocates, and

the public.

• Call the NCI Cancer Information Service 

at 1–800–4–CANCER (1–800–422–6237)

• Visit us at http://www.cancer.gov or

http://www.cancer.gov/espanol

• Chat using LiveHelp, NCI’s instant 

messaging service, at http://www.cancer.gov/

livehelp

• E-mail us at cancergovstaff@mail.nih.gov

• Order publications at http://www.cancer.gov/

publications or by calling 1–800–4–CANCER

• Get help with quitting smoking at

1–877–44U–QUIT (1–877–448–7848)
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

National Institutes of Health

Contents

About This Booklet 1

The Mouth and Throat 2

Cancer Cells 4

Risk Factors 5

Symptoms 8

Diagnosis 9

Staging 11

Treatment 13

Second Opinion 26

Nutrition 28

Reconstruction 29

Rehabilitation 30

Follow-up Care 31

Sources of Support 31

Taking Part in Cancer Research 33

Dictionary 35

National Cancer Institute Publications 46

National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial

Research 49

National Institute on Deafness and Other 

Communication Disorders 50
About This Booklet

This National Cancer Institute (NCI) booklet is

about oral cancer.* Oral cancer can develop in any part

of the oral cavity (the mouth and lips) or the

oropharynx (the part of the throat at the back of the

mouth).

Each year in the United States, more than 21,000

men and 9,000 women are diagnosed with oral cancer.

Most are over 60 years old.

Learning about medical care for oral cancer can help

you take an active part in making choices about your

care. This booklet tells about:

• Treatment

• Nutrition

• Reconstruction and rehabilitation

• Taking part in research studies

This booklet has lists of questions that you may

want to ask your doctor. Many people find it helpful to

take a list of questions to a doctor visit. To help

remember what your doctor says, you can take notes.

You may also want to have a family member or friend

go with you when you talk with the doctor—to take

notes, ask questions, or just listen.

For the latest information about oral cancer, please

visit the NCI Web site at http://www.cancer.gov/

cancertopics/types/oral. Or, call the NCI Cancer

Information Service. We can answer your questions

about cancer. We can also send you NCI booklets

and fact sheets. Call 1–800–4–CANCER

(1–800–422–6237) or instant message us through the

LiveHelp service at http://www.cancer.gov/help.

1

*Words in italics are in the Dictionary on page 35. The Dictionary

explains these terms. It also shows how to pronounce them.
The Mouth and Throat

The pictures below show the many parts of your

mouth and throat:

• Lips 

• Gums and teeth

• Tongue

• Lining of your cheeks 

• Salivary glands (glands that make saliva)

• Floor of your mouth (area under the tongue)

2

This picture shows the parts of your mouth, including

the area under the tongue.

Tongue

Salivary

glands

Floor of

mouth

Lip
3

This picture shows the parts of your mouth and throat.

• Roof of your mouth (hard palate)

• Soft palate 

• Uvula

• Oropharynx

• Tonsils

Tongue

Tonsils

Uvula

Oropharynx

Lip

Hard palate

Soft palate
Cancer Cells

Cancer begins in cells, the building blocks that make

up tissues. Tissues make up the organs of the body.

Normal cells grow and divide to form new cells as

the body needs them. When normal cells grow old or

get damaged, they die, and new cells take their place.

Sometimes, this process goes wrong. New cells

form when the body doesn’t need them, and old or

damaged cells don’t die as they should. The buildup of

extra cells often forms a mass of tissue called a growth

or tumor.

Tumors in the mouth or throat can be benign (not

cancer) or malignant (cancer). Benign tumors are not

as harmful as malignant tumors:

• Benign tumors: 

—are rarely a threat to life

—can be removed and usually don’t grow back

—don’t invade the tissues around them 

—don’t spread to other parts of the body

• Malignant tumors: 

—may be a threat to life 

—can grow back after they are removed 

—can invade and damage nearby tissues and organs 

—can spread to other parts of the body 

Almost all oral cancers begin in the flat cells

(squamous cells) that cover the surfaces of the mouth,

tongue, and lips. These cancers are called squamous

cell carcinomas.

4
5

Oral cancer cells can spread by breaking away from

the original tumor. They enter blood vessels or lymph

vessels, which branch into all the tissues of the body.

The cancer cells often appear first in nearby lymph

nodes in the neck. The cancer cells may attach to other

tissues and grow to form new tumors that may damage

those tissues. 

The spread of cancer is called metastasis. See the

Staging section on page 11 for information about oral

cancer that has spread.

Risk Factors

When you get a diagnosis of cancer, it’s natural to

wonder what may have caused the disease. Doctors

can’t always explain why one person gets oral cancer

and another doesn’t.

However, we do know that people with certain risk

factors may be more likely than others to develop oral

cancer. A risk factor is something that may increase the

chance of getting a disease.

Studies have found the following risk factors for

oral cancer:

• Tobacco: Tobacco use causes most oral cancers.

Smoking cigarettes, cigars, or pipes, or using

smokeless tobacco (such as snuff and chewing

tobacco) causes oral cancer. The use of other

tobacco products (such as bidis and kreteks) may

also increase the risk of oral cancer.

Heavy smokers who have smoked tobacco for a

long time are most at risk for oral cancer. The risk is

even higher for tobacco users who are heavy

drinkers of alcohol. In fact, three out of four people

with oral cancer have used tobacco, alcohol, or both.
6

How to Quit Tobacco

Quitting is important for anyone who uses

tobacco. Quitting at any time is beneficial to your

health. For people who already have cancer,

quitting may reduce the chance of getting another

cancer, lung disease, or heart disease caused by

tobacco. Quitting can also help cancer treatments

work better.

There are many ways to get help:

• Ask your doctor about medicine or nicotine

replacement therapy. Your doctor can suggest a

number of treatments that help people quit.

• Ask your doctor or dentist to help you find

local programs or trained professionals who

help people stop using tobacco.

• Call staff at the NCI Smoking Quitline at

1–877–44U–QUIT (1–877–448–7848) or

instant message them through LiveHelp

(http://www.cancer.gov/help). They can tell

you about:

—Ways to quit smoking

—Groups that help smokers who want to quit

—NCI publications about quitting smoking

—How to take part in a study of methods to

help smokers quit

• Go online to Smokefree.gov (http://www.

smokefree.gov), a Federal Government Web

site. It offers a guide to quitting smoking and a

list of other resources.
• Heavy alcohol use: People who are heavy drinkers

are more likely to develop oral cancer than people

who don’t drink alcohol. The risk increases with the

amount of alcohol that a person drinks. The risk

increases even more if the person both drinks

alcohol and uses tobacco.

• HPV infection: Some members of the HPV family

of viruses can infect the mouth and throat. These

viruses are passed from person to person through

sexual contact. Cancer at the base of the tongue, at

the back of the throat, in the tonsils, or in the soft

palate is linked with HPV infection. The NCI fact

sheet Human Papillomaviruses and Cancer has

more information.

• Sun: Cancer of the lip can be caused by exposure to

the sun. Using a lotion or lip balm that has a

sunscreen can reduce the risk. Wearing a hat with a

brim can also block the sun’s harmful rays. The risk

of cancer of the lip increases if the person also

smokes.

• A personal history of oral cancer: People who

have had oral cancer are at increased risk of

developing another oral cancer. Smoking increases

this risk.

• Diet: Some studies suggest that not eating enough

fruits and vegetables may increase the chance of

getting oral cancer.

• Betel nut use: Betel nut use is most common in

Asia, where millions chew the product. It’s a type of

palm seed wrapped with a betel leaf and sometimes

mixed with spices, sweeteners, and tobacco.

Chewing betel nut causes oral cancer. The risk

increases even more if the person also drinks

alcohol and uses tobacco.

7
8

The more risk factors that a person has, the greater

the chance that oral cancer will develop. However,

most people with known risk factors for oral cancer

don’t develop the disease.

Symptoms

Symptoms of oral cancer may include:

• Patches inside your mouth or on your lips:

—White patches (leukoplakia) are the most

common. White patches sometimes become

malignant.

—Mixed red and white patches (erythroleukoplakia)

are more likely than white patches to become

malignant.

—Red patches (erythroplakia) are brightly colored,

smooth areas that often become malignant.

• A sore on your lip or in your mouth that doesn’t heal

• Bleeding in your mouth

• Loose teeth 

• Difficulty or pain when swallowing

• Difficulty wearing dentures

• A lump in your neck

• An earache that doesn’t go away

• Numbness of lower lip and chin

Most often, these symptoms are not from oral

cancer. Another health problem can cause them.

Anyone with these symptoms should tell their doctor

or dentist so that problems can be diagnosed and

treated as early as possible.
9

Diagnosis

If you have symptoms that suggest oral cancer, your

doctor or dentist will check your mouth and throat for

red or white patches, lumps, swelling, or other

problems. A physical exam includes looking carefully

at the roof of your mouth, back of your throat, and

insides of your cheeks and lips. Your doctor or dentist

also will gently pull out your tongue so it can be
10

checked on the sides and underneath. The floor of your

mouth and lymph nodes in your neck will also be

checked.

If your doctor or dentist does not find the cause of

your symptoms, you may be referred to a specialist. An

ear, nose, and throat specialist can see the back of your

nose, tongue, and throat by using a small, long-handled

mirror or a lighted tube. Sometimes pictures need to be

made with a CT scan or MRI to find a hidden tumor.

(Page 11 describes imaging tests.)

The removal of a small piece of tissue to look for

cancer cells is called a biopsy. Usually, a biopsy is

done with local anesthesia. Sometimes, it’s done under

general anesthesia. A pathologist then looks at the

tissue under a microscope to check for cancer cells. A

biopsy is the only sure way to know if the abnormal

area is cancer.

If you need a biopsy, you may want to ask the

doctor or dentist some of the following questions:

• Why do I need a biopsy?

• How much tissue do you expect to remove? 

• How long will it take? Will I be awake? Will it

hurt?

• How soon will I know the results?

• Are there any risks? What are the chances of

infection or bleeding after the biopsy? 

• How should I care for the biopsy site

afterward? How long will it take to heal?

• Will I be able to eat and drink normally after

the biopsy?

• If I do have cancer, who will talk with me

about treatment? When?
11

Staging

If oral cancer is diagnosed, your doctor needs to

learn the extent (stage) of the disease to help you

choose the best treatment. When oral cancer spreads,

cancer cells may be found in the lymph nodes in the

neck or in other tissues of the neck. Cancer cells can

also spread to the lungs, liver, bones, and other parts of

the body.

When cancer spreads from its original place to

another part of the body, the new tumor has the same

kind of abnormal cells as the primary (original) tumor.

For example, if oral cancer spreads to the lungs, the

cancer cells in the lungs are actually oral cancer cells.

The disease is called metastatic oral cancer, not lung

cancer. It’s treated as oral cancer, not lung cancer.

Doctors sometimes call the new tumor “distant” or

metastatic disease.

Your doctor may order one or more of the following

tests:

• X-rays: An x-ray of your entire mouth can show

whether cancer has spread to the jaw. Images of

your chest and lungs can show whether cancer has

spread to these areas.

• CT scan: An x-ray machine linked to a computer

takes a series of detailed pictures of your body. You

may receive an injection of dye. Tumors in your

mouth, throat, neck, lungs, or elsewhere in the body

can show up on the CT scan.

• MRI: A powerful magnet linked to a computer is

used to make detailed pictures of your body. An

MRI can show whether oral cancer has spread.
12

• Endoscopy: The doctor uses a thin, lighted tube

(endoscope) to check your throat, windpipe, and

lungs. The doctor inserts the endoscope through

your nose or mouth. Local anesthesia is used to ease

your discomfort and prevent you from gagging.

Some people also may be given a mild sedative.

Sometimes the doctor uses general anesthesia to put

a person to sleep. This exam may be done in a

doctor’s office, an outpatient clinic, or a hospital.

• PET scan: You receive an injection of a small

amount of radioactive sugar. The radioactive sugar

gives off signals that the PET scanner picks up. The

PET scanner makes a picture of the places in your

body where the sugar is being taken up. Cancer cells

show up brighter in the picture because they take up

sugar faster than normal cells do. A PET scan shows

whether oral cancer may have spread.

Doctors describe the stage of oral cancer based on

the size of the tumor, whether it has invaded nearby

tissues, and whether it has spread to the lymph nodes

or other tissues: 

• Early cancer: Stage I or II oral cancer is usually a

small tumor (smaller than a walnut), and no cancer

cells are found in the lymph nodes.

• Advanced cancer: Stage III or IV oral cancer is

usually a large tumor (as big as a lime). The cancer

may have invaded nearby tissues or spread to lymph

nodes or other parts of the body.
Treatment

People with early oral cancer may be treated with

surgery or radiation therapy. People with advanced

oral cancer may have a combination of treatments. For

example, radiation therapy and chemotherapy are often

given at the same time. Another treatment option is

targeted therapy.

The choice of treatment depends mainly on your

general health, where in your mouth or throat the

cancer began, the size of the tumor, and whether the

cancer has spread.

Many doctors encourage people with oral cancer to

consider taking part in a clinical trial. Clinical trials are

research studies testing new treatments. They are an

important option for people with all stages of oral

cancer. See the Taking Part in Cancer Research section

on page 33.

Your doctor may refer you to a specialist, or you

may ask for a referral. Specialists who treat oral cancer

include:

• Head and neck surgeons

• Dentists who specialize in surgery of the mouth,

face, and jaw (oral and maxillofacial surgeons)

• Ear, nose, and throat doctors (otolaryngologists)

• Medical oncologists

• Radiation oncologists

13
Other health care professionals who work with the

specialists as a team may include a dentist, plastic

surgeon, reconstructive surgeon, speech pathologist,

oncology nurse, registered dietitian, and mental health

counselor.

Your health care team can describe your treatment

choices, the expected results of each, and the possible

side effects. You’ll want to consider how treatment may

affect eating, swallowing, and talking, and whether

treatment will change the way you look. You and your

health care team can work together to develop a

treatment plan that meets your needs.

14
15

Oral cancer and its treatment can lead to other

health problems. For example, radiation therapy and

chemotherapy for oral cancer can cause dental

problems. That’s why it’s important to get your mouth

in good condition before cancer treatment begins. See a

dentist for a thorough exam one month, if possible,

before starting cancer treatment to give your mouth

time to heal after needed dental work.

Before, during, and after cancer treatment, you can

have supportive care to control pain and other

symptoms, to relieve the side effects of therapy, and to

help you cope with the feelings that a diagnosis of

cancer can bring. You can get information about

supportive care on the NCI Web site at http://www.

cancer.gov/cancerinfo/coping and from the NCI

Cancer Information Service at 1–800–4–CANCER or

LiveHelp (http://www.cancer.gov/help).
16

You may want to ask your doctor these

questions before your treatment begins:

• What is the stage of the disease? Has the oral

cancer spread? If so, where?

• What is the goal of treatment? What are my

treatment choices? Which do you recommend

for me? Will I have more than one type of

treatment?

• What are the expected benefits of each type of

treatment?

• What are the risks and possible side effects of

each treatment? How can side effects be

managed?

• Should I see a dentist before treatment begins?

Can you recommend a dentist who has

experience working with people who have oral

cancer?

• Will I need to stay in the hospital? If so, for

how long?

• If I have pain, how will it be controlled?

• What will the treatment cost? Will my

insurance cover it?

• How will treatment affect my normal

activities? 

• Would a clinical trial (research study) be

appropriate for me?

• How often will I need checkups?

• Can you recommend other doctors who could

give me a second opinion about my treatment

options?
17

Surgery

Surgery to remove the tumor in the mouth or throat

is a common treatment for oral cancer. Sometimes the

surgeon also removes lymph nodes in the neck. Other

tissues in the mouth and neck may be removed as well.

You may have surgery alone or in combination with

radiation therapy.

It takes time to heal after surgery, and the time

needed to recover is different for each person. You may

have pain for the first few days after surgery. However,

medicine can usually control the pain. Before surgery,

you should discuss the plan for pain relief with your

doctor or nurse. After surgery, your doctor can adjust

the plan if you need more pain relief.

It’s common to feel tired or weak for a while after

surgery. Also, surgery may cause tissues in your face to

swell. This swelling usually goes away within a few

weeks. However, removing lymph nodes can result in

swelling that lasts a long time.

Surgery to remove a small tumor in your mouth may

not cause any lasting problems. For a larger tumor,

however, the surgeon may remove part of the palate,

tongue, or jaw. This surgery may change your ability to

chew, swallow, or talk. Also, your face may look

different after surgery. You may have reconstructive or

plastic surgery to rebuild the bones or tissues of the

mouth. (See the Reconstruction section on page 29.) 
18

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to kill

cancer cells. It’s an option for small tumors or for

people who can’t have surgery. Or, it may be used

before surgery to shrink the tumor. It also may be used

after surgery to destroy cancer cells that may remain in

the area.

You may want to ask your doctor these

questions before having surgery:

• Do you recommend surgery to remove the

tumor? If so, do I need any lymph nodes

removed? Will other tissues in my mouth or

neck need to be removed?

• What is the goal of surgery? 

• How will I feel after surgery? How long will I

be in the hospital?

• What are the risks of surgery?

• Will I have trouble swallowing, eating, or

speaking? Will I need to see a specialist for

help?

• Will I look different after surgery? Where will

the scars be?

• Will I need reconstructive or plastic surgery?

When can that be done?

• Will I lose my teeth? Can they be replaced?

How soon?
19

Doctors use two types of radiation therapy to treat

oral cancer. Some people with oral cancer have both

types:

• External radiation therapy: The radiation comes

from a machine. Some treatment centers offer

IMRT, which uses a computer to more closely target

the oral tumor to lessen the damage to healthy

tissue. You may go to the hospital or clinic once or

twice a day, generally 5 days a week for several

weeks. Each treatment takes only a few minutes.

• Internal radiation therapy (implant radiation

therapy or brachytherapy): Internal radiation

therapy isn’t commonly used for oral cancer. The

radiation comes from radioactive material in seeds,

wires, or tubes put directly in the mouth or throat

tissue. You may need to stay in the hospital for

several days. Usually the radioactive material is

removed before you go home.

The side effects of radiation therapy depend mainly

on the amount of radiation given. Radiation therapy

may cause mouth and dental problems: 

• Sore throat or mouth: Radiation therapy can cause

painful ulcers and inflammation in the mouth and

throat. Your doctor can suggest medicines to help

control the pain. Your doctor also may suggest

special rinses to numb the throat and mouth to help

relieve the soreness. If your pain continues, you can

ask your doctor about stronger medicines.

• Dry mouth: A dry mouth can make it hard for you

to eat, talk, and swallow. It can also lead to tooth

decay. You may find it helpful to drink lots of water,

suck ice chips or sugar-free hard candy, and use a

saliva substitute to moisten your mouth.
20

• Tooth decay: Cavities may be a significant problem

after radiation therapy. Good mouth care can help

you keep your teeth and gums healthy and can help

you feel better.

—Doctors usually suggest that people gently brush

their teeth, gums, and tongue with an extra-soft

toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste after every

meal and before bed. If brushing hurts, you can

soften the bristles in warm water.

—Your dentist may suggest that you use fluoride

gel on your teeth before, during, and after

radiation treatment.

—It also helps to rinse your mouth several times a

day with a solution made from 1/4 teaspoon of

baking soda and 1/4 teaspoon of salt in one quart

of warm water. After you rinse with this solution,

follow with a plain water rinse.

• Sore or bleeding gums: It’s important to brush and

floss teeth gently. You may want to avoid brushing

and flossing areas that are sore or bleeding. To

protect your gums from damage, avoid using

toothpicks.

• Infection: Dry mouth and damage to the lining of

your mouth from radiation therapy can cause

infection to develop. Check your mouth every day

for sores or other changes, and tell your doctor or

nurse about any mouth problems.

• Delayed healing after dental care: It’s important to

have all needed dental treatment completed one

month before radiation therapy to allow time for the

mouth to heal. Dental treatment after radiation

therapy can be complicated by slow healing and the

risk of infection.
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• Jaw stiffness: Radiation therapy can affect the

chewing muscles and make it difficult for you to

open your mouth. Ask your health care team to

show you how to prevent or reduce stiffness by

exercising your jaw muscles. For example, they may

suggest opening and closing the mouth as far as

possible (without causing pain) 20 times in a row, 3

times a day.

• Denture problems: Radiation therapy can change

the tissues in your mouth so that dentures don’t fit

anymore. Because of soreness and dry mouth, some

people may not be able to wear dentures for as long

as one year after radiation therapy. After the tissues

heal completely and your mouth is no longer sore,

your dentist may need to refit or replace your

dentures.

In addition to mouth and dental problems, radiation

therapy aimed at the head and neck may cause other

problems:

• Fatigue: You may become very tired, especially in

the later weeks of radiation therapy. Resting is

important, but doctors usually advise people to stay

as active as they can.

• Changes in how food tastes and smells: Radiation

therapy for oral cancer may cause food to taste or

smell different. These changes can last for several

months, especially if radiation therapy is given at

the same time as chemotherapy.

• Changes in voice quality: Your voice may be weak

at the end of the day. It may also be affected by

changes in the weather. Radiation therapy directed at

the neck may cause your larynx (voice box) to

swell, causing voice changes and the feeling of a

lump in your throat. Your doctor may suggest

medicine to reduce this swelling.
22

• Skin changes in the treated area: The skin in the

treated area may become red or dry. Good skin care

is important. It’s helpful to expose this area to the

air while protecting it from the sun. Also, avoid

wearing clothes that rub the treated area, and don’t

shave the treated area. You should not use lotions or

creams in the treated area without your doctor’s

advice. These skin changes should go away when

treatment ends, but a long-term effect is that hair

may not grow back in the moustache or beard area.

• Weight loss: You may lose weight if you have

eating problems from a sore throat and trouble

swallowing. Your health care team may suggest a

feeding tube to help prevent weight loss. See the

Nutrition section on page 28.

• Changes in the thyroid: Radiation therapy can

affect your thyroid (an organ in your neck beneath

the voice box). If your thyroid does not make

enough thyroid hormone, you may feel tired, gain

weight, feel cold, and have dry skin and hair. Your

doctor can check the level of thyroid hormone with

a blood test. If the level is low, you may need to

take thyroid hormone pills.

Some side effects in the mouth go away after

radiation therapy ends, but others last a long time. A

few side effects (such as dry mouth) may never go

away. Although the side effects of radiation therapy

can be upsetting, your doctor can usually treat or

control them. It helps to report any problems that you

are having so that your doctor can work with you to

relieve them.

You may find it helpful to read the NCI booklet

Radiation Therapy and You. 
23

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells. The

drugs that treat oral cancer are usually given through a

vein (intravenous). The drugs enter the bloodstream

and travel throughout your body.

Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are often given

at the same time. You may receive chemotherapy in an

outpatient part of the hospital, at the doctor’s office, or

at home. Some people need to stay in the hospital

during treatment.

Chemotherapy and radiation therapy can cause some

of the same side effects, including painful mouth and

gums, dry mouth, infection, and changes in taste. Some

anticancer drugs can cause bleeding in the mouth and a

deep pain that feels like a toothache.

You may want to ask your doctor these

questions before having radiation therapy:

• What is the goal of this treatment? 

• When will the treatments begin? When will

they end?

• What are the risks and side effects of this

treatment? What can I do about them?

• How will I feel during therapy? What can I do

to take care of myself? 

• Will I need a special diet? For how long?

• How will my mouth and face look afterward?

• Are there any long-term effects?
24

The side effects depend mainly on which drugs are

given and how much. Chemotherapy kills fast-growing

cancer cells, but the drugs can also harm normal cells

that divide rapidly: 

• Blood cells: When drugs lower the levels of healthy

blood cells, you’re more likely to get infections,

bruise or bleed easily, and feel weak and tired. Your

health care team will check for low levels of blood

cells. If your levels are low, your health care team

may stop the chemotherapy for a while or reduce the

dose of the drug.

• Cells in hair roots: Chemotherapy may cause hair

loss. If you lose your hair, it will grow back, but it

may change in color and texture.

• Cells that line the digestive tract: Chemotherapy

can cause a poor appetite, nausea and vomiting,

diarrhea, or mouth and lip sores. Your health care

team can give you medicines and suggest other

ways to help with these problems.

Some drugs used for oral cancer can cause tingling

or numbness in the hands or feet. You may have these

problems only during treatment or for a short time after

treatment ends.

You may wish to read the NCI booklet

Chemotherapy and You.

Targeted Therapy

Some people with oral cancer receive a type of drug

known as targeted therapy. It may be given along with

radiation therapy or chemotherapy.
25

Cetuximab (Erbitux) was the first targeted therapy

approved for oral cancer. Cetuximab binds to oral

cancer cells and interferes with cancer cell growth and

the spread of cancer. You may receive cetuximab

through a vein once a week for several weeks at the

doctor’s office, hospital, or clinic.

During treatment, your health care team will watch

for signs of problems. Some people get medicine to

prevent a possible allergic reaction. Side effects may

include rash, fever, headache, vomiting, and diarrhea.

These effects usually become milder after the first

treatment.

You may find it helpful to read the NCI fact sheet

Targeted Cancer Therapies.

You may want to ask your doctor these

questions before having chemotherapy or targeted

therapy:

• Which drug or drugs will I have?

• What are the expected benefits of treatment?

• What are the risks and possible side effects of

treatment? What can I do about them?

• When will treatment start? When will it end?

• How will treatment affect my normal

activities?
26

Second Opinion

Before starting treatment, you might want a second

opinion about your diagnosis, the stage of cancer, and

the treatment plan. You may even want to talk to

several different doctors about all of the treatment

options, their side effects, and the expected results. For

example, you may wish to discuss your treatment plan

with a surgeon, radiation oncologist, and medical

oncologist.
27

Some people worry that the doctor will be offended

if they ask for a second opinion. Usually the opposite

is true. Most doctors welcome a second opinion. And

many health insurance companies will pay for a second

opinion if you or your doctor requests it. Some

companies require a second opinion.

If you get a second opinion, the second doctor may

agree with your first doctor’s diagnosis and treatment

plan. Or the second doctor may suggest another

approach. Either way, you’ll have more information

and perhaps a greater sense of control. You can feel

more confident about the decisions you make, knowing

that you’ve looked at your options.

It may take some time and effort to gather your

medical records and see another doctor. In most cases,

it’s not a problem to take several weeks to get a second

opinion. The delay in starting treatment usually will

not make treatment less effective. To make sure, you

should discuss this delay with your doctor.

There are many ways to find a doctor for a second

opinion. You can ask your doctor, a local or state

medical society, a nearby hospital, or a medical school

for names of specialists. You may want to find a

medical center that has a lot of experience treating

people with oral cancer.

The NCI Cancer Information Service at

1–800–4–CANCER (1–800–422–6237) or LiveHelp

(http://www.cancer.gov/help) can tell you about

nearby treatment centers. Other sources can be found

in the NCI fact sheet How To Find a Doctor or

Treatment Facility If You Have Cancer.
28

Nutrition

Your diet is an important part of your treatment for

oral cancer. You need the right amount of calories,

protein, vitamins, and minerals to maintain your

strength and to heal.

However, when you have oral cancer, it may be

difficult to eat. You may be uncomfortable or tired, and

you may have a dry mouth, have trouble swallowing,

or not feel like eating. You also may have nausea,

vomiting, constipation, or diarrhea from cancer

treatment or pain medicine.

Tell your health care team if you’re having any

problems eating, drinking, or digesting your food. If

you’re losing weight, a dietitian can help you choose

the foods and nutrition products that will meet your

needs.

You may want to read the NCI booklet Eating Hints.

It contains many useful ideas and recipes.

Sore Mouth

If your mouth is sore, you may find that you want to

avoid acidic foods, such as oranges and tomatoes. Also,

to protect your mouth during cancer treatment, it helps

to avoid sharp, hard foods, such as chips.

Dry Mouth

If your mouth is dry, you may find that soft foods

moistened with sauces or gravies are easier to eat.

Smooth soups, puddings, milkshakes, and blended fruit

smoothies often are easier to swallow. Also, meal

replacement products (such as instant breakfast,

Boost®, or Ensure®) may be helpful.
29

Keep in mind that a dry mouth puts you at greater

risk for tooth decay (cavities). Rinse your mouth often,

especially after eating or drinking sweet foods.

Trouble Swallowing

If there’s a chance that swallowing will become too

difficult for you, your dietitian and doctor may

recommend another way for you to receive nutrition.

For example, after surgery or during radiation therapy

for oral cancer, some people need a temporary feeding

tube. A feeding tube is a flexible tube that is usually

passed into the stomach through an incision in the

abdomen. A liquid meal replacement product (such as

Boost or Ensure) can be poured through the tube at

mealtime. When not in use, the small tube attached to

your stomach is not visible to others.

Reconstruction

Some people with oral cancer may need to have

plastic or reconstructive surgery to rebuild the bones or

tissues of the mouth. Research has led to many

advances in the way bones and tissues can be rebuilt.

Some people may need dental implants. Or they

may need to have grafts (tissue moved from another

part of the body). Skin, muscle, and bone can be

moved to the mouth from the chest, arm, or leg. The

plastic surgeon uses this tissue for repair.
30

If you’re thinking about reconstruction, you may

wish to consult with a plastic or reconstructive surgeon

before your treatment for oral cancer begins. You can

have reconstructive surgery at the same time as you

have the cancer removed, or you can have it later on.

Talk with your doctor about which approach is right

for you.

Rehabilitation

Your health care team will help you return to normal

activities as soon as possible. The goals of

rehabilitation depend on the extent of the disease and

type of treatment.

If oral cancer or its treatment leads to problems with

talking, speech therapy will generally begin as soon as

possible. A speech therapist may see you in the hospital

to plan therapy and teach speech exercises. Speech

therapy may continue after you return home.

Some people will need a prosthesis to help them talk

and eat as normally as possible. A prosthesis is an

artificial device that replaces the missing teeth or

tissues of the mouth. For example, if part of the palate

is removed, a dentist with special training (a

prosthodontist) may be able to fit you with a plastic

device that replaces the missing tissue.
Follow-up Care

You’ll need regular checkups of your mouth, throat,

and neck after treatment for oral cancer. Checkups help

ensure that any changes in your health are noted and

treated if needed. Checkups may include a physical

exam, blood tests, chest x-rays, or CT scans. 

If you have any health problems between checkups,

you should contact your doctor. 

People who have had oral cancer have a chance of

developing a new cancer. A new cancer is especially

likely for those who use tobacco or who drink alcohol

heavily. Doctors strongly urge people to stop using

tobacco and stop drinking alcohol to cut down the risk

of a new cancer and other health problems.

You may find it helpful to read the NCI booklet

Facing Forward: Life After Cancer Treatment. You

may also want to read the NCI fact sheet Follow-up

Care After Cancer Treatment.

Sources of Support 

Learning that you have oral cancer can change your

life and the lives of those close to you. These changes

can be hard to handle. It’s normal for you, your family,

and your friends to need help coping with the feelings

that a diagnosis of cancer can bring.

31
Concerns about treatments and managing side

effects, hospital stays, and medical bills are common.

You may also worry about caring for your family,

keeping your job, or continuing daily activities.

Here’s where you can go for support:

• Doctors, nurses, and other members of your health

care team can answer questions about your

treatment and its side effects. They can talk with you

about how treatment may affect your work schedule

and other activities.

32
• Social workers, counselors, or members of the

clergy can be helpful if you want to talk about your

feelings or concerns. Often, social workers can

suggest resources for financial aid, transportation,

home care, or emotional support.

• Support groups also can help. In these groups,

patients or their family members meet with other

patients or their families to share what they have

learned about coping with the disease and the effects

of treatment. Groups may offer support in person,

over the telephone, or on the Internet. You may want

to talk with a member of your health care team

about finding a support group.

• Information specialists at 1–800–4–CANCER and

at LiveHelp (http://www.cancer.gov/help) can help

you locate programs, services, and publications.

They can send you a list of organizations that offer

services to people with cancer.

For tips on coping, you may want to read the NCI

booklet Taking Time: Support for People With Cancer.

Taking Part in Cancer Research

Cancer research has led to real progress in oral

cancer detection and treatment. Because of research,

people with oral cancer can look forward to a better

quality of life. Continuing research offers hope that, in

the future, even more people with this disease will be

treated successfully.

Doctors all over the world are conducting many

types of clinical trials (research studies in which people

volunteer to take part). Clinical trials are designed to

find out whether new approaches are safe and

effective.

33
Doctors are testing chemotherapy, targeted therapy,

and combinations of drugs for oral cancer. They are

studying radiation therapy combined with drugs and

other treatments. Doctors are also testing drugs that

prevent or reduce the side effects of radiation therapy.

Even if the people in a trial do not benefit directly,

they may still make an important contribution by

helping doctors learn more about oral cancer and how

to control it. Although clinical trials may pose some

risks, doctors do all they can to protect their patients.

If you’re interested in being part of a clinical trial,

talk with your doctor. You may want to read the NCI

booklet Taking Part in Cancer Treatment Research

Studies. It describes how treatment studies are carried

out and explains their possible benefits and risks.

The NCI Web site includes a section on clinical

trials at http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials. It has

general information about clinical trials as well as

detailed information about specific ongoing studies of

oral cancer. The NCI Cancer Information Service at

1–800–4–CANCER (1–800–422–6237) or at

LiveHelp (http://www.cancer.gov/help) can answer

questions and provide information about clinical trials.

34
Dictionary 

Definitions of thousands of terms are on the NCI

Web site in the NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms. You

can access it at http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary.

Benign (beh-NINE): Not cancer. Benign tumors may

grow larger but do not spread to other parts of the

body.

Bidi: A cigarette made by rolling tobacco by hand in a

dried leaf from the tendu tree (a member of the ebony

family). Most bidis are made in India and they come in

different flavors.

Biopsy (BY-op-see): The removal of cells or tissues for

examination by a pathologist. The pathologist may

study the tissue under a microscope or perform other

tests on the cells or tissue. There are many different

types of biopsy procedures. The most common types

include: (1) incisional biopsy, in which only a sample

of tissue is removed; (2) excisional biopsy, in which

an entire lump or suspicious area is removed; and

(3) needle biopsy, in which a sample of tissue or fluid

is removed with a needle. When a wide needle is used,

the procedure is called a core biopsy. When a thin

needle is used, the procedure is called a fine-needle

aspiration biopsy.

Brachytherapy (BRAY-kee-THAYR-uh-pee): A type

of radiation therapy in which radioactive material

sealed in needles, seeds, wires, or catheters is placed

directly into or near a tumor. Also called implant

radiation therapy, internal radiation therapy, and

radiation brachytherapy.

Cancer (KAN-ser): A term for diseases in which

abnormal cells divide without control and can invade

nearby tissues. Cancer cells can also spread to other

parts of the body through the blood and lymph

systems.

35
Cell: The individual unit that makes up the tissues of

the body. All living things are made up of one or more

cells.

Cetuximab (seh-TUK-sih-mab): A monoclonal

antibody used to treat certain types of head and neck

cancer, and colorectal cancer that has spread to other

parts of the body. It is also being studied in the

treatment of other types of cancer. Monoclonal

antibodies are made in the laboratory and can locate

and bind to cancer cells. Cetuximab binds to the

epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), which is

found on the surface of some types of cancer cells.

Also called Erbitux.

Chemotherapy (KEE-moh-THAYR-uh-pee):

Treatment with drugs that kill cancer cells.

Clinical trial: A type of research study that tests how

well new medical approaches work in people. These

studies test new methods of screening, prevention,

diagnosis, or treatment of a disease. Also called clinical

study.

CT scan: A series of detailed pictures of areas inside

the body taken from different angles. The pictures are

created by a computer linked to an x-ray machine. Also

called CAT scan, computed tomography scan,

computerized axial tomography scan, and computerized tomography.

Dental implant: A metal device that is surgically

placed in the jawbone. It acts as an anchor for an

artificial tooth or teeth.

Dentist: A health professional who specializes in

caring for the teeth, gums, and other tissues in the

mouth.

36
Digestive tract (dy-JES-tiv): The organs through

which food and liquids pass when they are swallowed,

digested, and eliminated. These organs are the mouth,

esophagus, stomach, small and large intestines, and

rectum and anus.

Endoscope (EN-doh-SKOPE): A thin, tube-like

instrument used to look at tissues inside the body. An

endoscope has a light and a lens for viewing and may

have a tool to remove tissue.

Endoscopy (en-DOSS-koh-pee): A procedure that uses

an endoscope to examine the inside of the body. An

endoscope is a thin, tube-like instrument with a light

and a lens for viewing. It may also have a tool to

remove tissue to be checked under a microscope for

signs of disease.

Erythroleukoplakia (eh-RITH-roh-LOO-koh-PLAYkee-uh): An abnormal patch of red and white tissue

that forms on mucous membranes in the mouth and

may become cancerous. Tobacco (smoking and

chewing) and alcohol may increase the risk of

erythroleukoplakia.

Erythroplakia (eh-RITH-roh-PLAY-kee-uh): An

abnormal patch of red tissue that forms on mucous

membranes in the mouth and may become cancerous.

Tobacco (smoking and chewing) and alcohol may

increase the risk of erythroplakia.

External radiation therapy (RAY-dee-AY-shun

THAYR-uh-pee): A type of radiation therapy that uses

a machine to aim high-energy rays at the cancer from

outside of the body. Also called external-beam

radiation therapy.

37
Fluoride (FLOOR-ide): A form of the element fluorine

that helps prevent tooth decay. Fluoride may be

naturally present in drinking water or may be added to

it. Fluoride may also be put directly on the teeth, as a

gel, toothpaste, or a rinse.

General anesthesia (A-nes-THEE-zhuh): A temporary

loss of feeling and a complete loss of awareness that

feels like a very deep sleep. It is caused by special

drugs or other substances called anesthetics. General

anesthesia keeps patients from feeling pain during

surgery or other procedures.

Gland: An organ that makes one or more substances,

such as hormones, digestive juices, sweat, tears, saliva,

or milk.

Graft: Healthy skin, bone, or other tissue taken from

one part of the body and used to replace diseased or

injured tissue removed from another part of the body.

Hard palate (PAL-et): The front, bony part of the roof

of the mouth.

HPV: A member of a family of viruses that can cause

abnormal tissue growth (for example, genital warts)

and other changes to cells. Infection with certain types

of HPV increases the risk of developing cervical

cancer. Also called human papillomavirus.

Implant radiation therapy (RAY-dee-AY-shun

THAYR-uh-pee): A type of radiation therapy in which

radioactive material sealed in needles, seeds, wires, or

catheters is placed directly into or near a tumor. Also

called brachytherapy, internal radiation therapy, and

radiation brachytherapy.

IMRT: A type of 3-dimensional radiation therapy that

uses computer-generated images to show the size and

shape of the tumor. Thin beams of radiation of different

intensities are aimed at the tumor from many angles.

38
39

This type of radiation therapy reduces the damage to

healthy tissue near the tumor. Also called intensitymodulated radiation therapy.

Internal radiation therapy (in-TER-nul RAY-deeAY-shun THAYR-uh-pee): A type of radiation therapy

in which radioactive material sealed in needles, seeds,

wires, or catheters is placed directly into or near a

tumor. Also called brachytherapy, implant radiation

therapy, and radiation brachytherapy.

Intravenous (IN-truh-VEE-nus): Into or within a vein.

Intravenous usually refers to a way of giving a drug or

other substance through a needle or tube inserted into a

vein. Also called IV.

Kretek: A cigarette made of a mixture of tobacco and

clove.

Leukoplakia (LOO-koh-PLAY-kee-uh): An abnormal

patch of white tissue that forms on mucous membranes

in the mouth and other areas of the body. It may

become cancerous. Tobacco (smoking and chewing)

and alcohol may increase the risk of leukoplakia in the

mouth.

Local anesthesia (A-nes-THEE-zhuh): A temporary

loss of feeling in one small area of the body caused by

special drugs or other substances called anesthetics.

The patient stays awake but has no feeling in the area

of the body treated with the anesthetic.

Lymph node (limf node): A rounded mass of

lymphatic tissue that is surrounded by a capsule of

connective tissue. Lymph nodes filter lymph

(lymphatic fluid), and they store lymphocytes (white

blood cells). They are located along lymphatic vessels.

Also called lymph gland.
40

Lymph vessel (limf): A thin tube that carries lymph

(lymphatic fluid) and white blood cells through the

lymphatic system. Also called lymphatic vessel.

Malignant (muh-LIG-nunt): Cancerous. Malignant

tumors can invade and destroy nearby tissue and

spread to other parts of the body.

Medical oncologist (MEH-dih-kul on-KAH-loh-jist):

A doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating

cancer using chemotherapy, targeted therapy, hormonal

therapy, and biological therapy. A medical oncologist

often is the main health care provider for someone who

has cancer. A medical oncologist also gives supportive

care and may coordinate treatment given by other

specialists.

Mental health counselor: A specialist who can talk

with patients and their families about emotional and

personal matters, and can help them make decisions.

Metastasis (meh-TAS-tuh-sis): The spread of cancer

from one part of the body to another. A tumor formed

by cells that have spread is called a “metastatic tumor”

or a “metastasis.” The metastatic tumor contains cells

that are like those in the original (primary) tumor. The

plural form of metastasis is metastases (meh-TAS-tuhSEEZ).

Metastatic (meh-tuh-STA-tik): Having to do with

metastasis, which is the spread of cancer from one part

of the body to another.

MRI: A procedure in which radio waves and a

powerful magnet linked to a computer are used to

create detailed pictures of areas inside the body. These

pictures can show the difference between normal and

diseased tissue. MRI makes better images of organs

and soft tissue than other scanning techniques, such as

computed tomography (CT) or x-ray. MRI is especially

useful for imaging the brain, the spine, the soft tissue
of joints, and the inside of bones. Also called magnetic

resonance imaging, NMRI, and nuclear magnetic

resonance imaging.

Oncology nurse (on-KAH-loh-jee): A nurse who

specializes in treating and caring for people who have

cancer.

Oral and maxillofacial surgeon: A dentist who

specializes in surgery of the mouth, face, and jaw.

Oropharynx (OR-oh-FAYR-inks): The part of the

throat at the back of the mouth behind the oral cavity.

It includes the back third of the tongue, the soft palate,

the side and back walls of the throat, and the tonsils.

Otolaryngologist (OH-toh-LA-rin-GAH-loh-jist): A

doctor who specializes in treating diseases of the ear,

nose, and throat. Also called ENT doctor.

Pathologist (puh-THAH-loh-jist): A doctor who

identifies diseases by studying cells and tissues under a

microscope.

PET scan: A procedure in which a small amount of

radioactive glucose (sugar) is injected into a vein, and

a scanner is used to make detailed, computerized

pictures of areas inside the body where the glucose is

used. Because cancer cells often use more glucose than

normal cells, the pictures can be used to find cancer

cells in the body. Also called positron emission

tomography scan.

Plastic surgeon (PLAS-tik SER-jun): A surgeon who

specializes in reducing scarring or disfigurement that

may occur as a result of accidents, birth defects, or

treatment for diseases.

Prosthesis (pros-THEE-sis): A device, such as an

artificial leg, that replaces a part of the body.

41
Prosthodontist (pros-tho-DON-tist): A dentist who

specializes in replacing missing teeth or other

structures of the mouth to restore an individual’s

appearance or function.

Radiation oncologist (RAY-dee-AY-shun on-KAHloh-jist): A doctor who specializes in using radiation to

treat cancer.

Radiation therapy (RAY-dee-AY-shun THAYR-uhpee): The use of high-energy radiation from x-rays,

gamma rays, neutrons, protons, and other sources to

kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation may

come from a machine outside the body (external-beam

radiation therapy), or it may come from radioactive

material placed in the body near cancer cells (internal

radiation therapy). Systemic radiation therapy uses a

radioactive substance, such as a radiolabeled

monoclonal antibody, that travels in the blood to

tissues throughout the body. Also called irradiation and

radiotherapy.

Radioactive (RAY-dee-oh-AK-tiv): Giving off

radiation.

Reconstructive surgeon (REE-kun-STRUK-tiv SERjun): A doctor who can surgically reshape or rebuild

(reconstruct) a part of the body, such as a woman’s

breast after surgery for breast cancer.

Registered dietitian (dy-eh-TIH-shun): A health

professional with special training in the use of diet and

nutrition to keep the body healthy. A registered

dietitian may help the medical team improve the

nutritional health of a patient.

Risk factor: Something that may increase the chance

of developing a disease. Some examples of risk factors

for cancer include age, a family history of certain

cancers, use of tobacco products, certain eating habits,

42
43

obesity, lack of exercise, exposure to radiation or other

cancer-causing agents, and certain genetic changes.

Saliva (suh-LIE-vuh): The watery fluid in the mouth

made by the salivary glands. Saliva moistens food to

help digestion and it helps protect the mouth against

infections.

Salivary gland (SA-lih-VAYR-ee gland): A gland in

the mouth that produces saliva.

Side effect: A problem that occurs when treatment

affects healthy tissues or organs. Some common side

effects of cancer treatment are fatigue, pain, nausea,

vomiting, decreased blood cell counts, hair loss, and

mouth sores.

Soft palate (PAL-et): The back, muscular (not bony)

part of the roof of the mouth.

Speech pathologist (puh-THAH-loh-jist): A specialist

who evaluates and treats people with communication

and swallowing problems. Also called speech therapist.

Squamous cell (SKWAY-mus sel): Flat cell that looks

like a fish scale under a microscope. These cells cover

inside and outside surfaces of the body. They are found

in the tissues that form the surface of the skin, the

lining of the hollow organs of the body (such as the

bladder, kidney, and uterus), and the passages of the

respiratory and digestive tracts.

Squamous cell carcinoma (SKWAY-mus sel KARsih-NOH-muh): Cancer that begins in squamous cells,

which are thin, flat cells that look like fish scales.

Squamous cells are found in the tissue that forms the

surface of the skin, the lining of the hollow organs of

the body, and the passages of the respiratory and

digestive tracts.
44

Sunscreen: A substance that helps protect the skin

from the sun’s harmful rays. Sunscreens reflect, absorb,

and scatter both ultraviolet A and B radiation to

provide protection against both types of radiation.

Using lotions, creams, or gels that contain sunscreens

can help protect the skin from premature aging and

damage that may lead to skin cancer.

Supportive care: Care given to improve the quality of

life of patients who have a serious or life-threatening

disease. The goal of supportive care is to prevent or

treat as early as possible the symptoms of a disease,

side effects caused by treatment of a disease, and

psychological, social, and spiritual problems related to

a disease or its treatment. Also called comfort care,

palliative care, and symptom management.

Surgeon: A doctor who removes or repairs a part of

the body by operating on the patient.

Surgery (SER-juh-ree): A procedure to remove or

repair a part of the body or to find out whether disease

is present. An operation.

Targeted therapy (TAR-geh-ted THAYR-uh-pee): A

type of treatment that uses drugs or other substances,

such as monoclonal antibodies, to identify and attack

specific cancer cells. Targeted therapy may have fewer

side effects than other types of cancer treatments.

Thyroid hormone (THY-royd HOR-mone): A

hormone that affects heart rate, blood pressure, body

temperature, and weight. Thyroid hormone is made by

the thyroid gland and can also be made in the

laboratory.

Tonsil: One of two small masses of lymphoid tissue on

either side of the throat.
45

Tumor (TOO-mer): An abnormal mass of tissue that

results when cells divide more than they should or do

not die when they should. Tumors may be benign (not

cancer), or malignant (cancer). Also called neoplasm.

Uvula: The soft flap of tissue that hangs down at the

back of the mouth (at the edge of the soft palate). Also

called palatine uvula.

Virus (VY-rus): In medicine, a very simple

microorganism that infects cells and may cause

disease. Because viruses can multiply only inside

infected cells, they are not considered to be alive.

X-ray: A type of high-energy radiation. In low doses,

x-rays are used to diagnose diseases by making

pictures of the inside of the body. In high doses, x-rays

are used to treat cancer.
46

National Cancer Institute Publications

NCI provides publications about cancer, including

the booklets and fact sheets mentioned in this booklet.

Many are available in both English and Spanish.

You may order these publications by telephone, on

the Internet, or by mail. You may also read them online

and print your own copy.

• By telephone: People in the United States and

its territories may order these and other NCI

publications by calling the NCI Cancer

Information Service at 1–800–4–CANCER

(1–800–422–6237).

• On the Internet: Many NCI publications may be

viewed, downloaded, and ordered from

http://www.cancer.gov/publications on the

Internet. People in the United States and its

territories may use this Web site to order printed

copies. This Web site also explains how people

outside the United States can mail or fax their

requests for NCI booklets.

• By mail: NCI publications may be ordered by

writing to the address below: 

Publications Ordering Service

National Cancer Institute

P.O. Box 24128

Baltimore, MD 21227

Clinical Trials

• Taking Part in Cancer Treatment Research Studies
47

Finding a Doctor, Support Groups, or Other

Organizations

• How To Find a Doctor or Treatment Facility If You

Have Cancer (also in Spanish)

• National Organizations That Offer Services to

People With Cancer and Their Families (also in

Spanish) 

Cancer Treatment and Supportive Care

• Radiation Therapy and You (also in Spanish)

• Understanding Radiation Therapy: What To Know

About External Beam Radiation Therapy (also in

Spanish)

• Chemotherapy and You (also in Spanish)

• Targeted Cancer Therapies

• Eating Hints for Cancer Patients (also in Spanish)

• Pain Control (also in Spanish)

Coping with Cancer

• Taking Time: Support for People with Cancer 

• Managing Radiation Therapy Side Effects: What To

Do When You Feel Weak or Tired (Fatigue) (also in

Spanish)

Life After Cancer Treatment

• Facing Forward: Life After Cancer Treatment (also

in Spanish)

• Follow-up Care After Cancer Treatment

• Facing Forward: Ways You Can Make a Difference

in Cancer
Advanced or Recurrent Cancer

• Coping With Advanced Cancer

• When Cancer Returns

Complementary Medicine

• Thinking about Complementary & Alternative

Medicine: A guide for people with cancer

• Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Cancer

Treatment (also in Spanish)

Caregivers

• When Someone You Love Is Being Treated for

Cancer: Support for Caregivers

• When Someone You Love Has Advanced Cancer:

Support for Caregivers

• Facing Forward: When Someone You Love Has

Completed Cancer Treatment

• Caring for the Caregiver: Support for Cancer

Caregivers

Risk Factors

• Human Papillomaviruses and Cancer

• Smokeless Tobacco and Cancer

Quitting Smoking

• Clearing the Air: Quit Smoking Today

• You Can Quit Smoking

48
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial

Research

The mission of the National Institute of Dental and

Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) is to improve oral,

dental, and craniofacial health through research and

research training, and by sharing science-based

information with the public and health care

professionals.

Oral Complications of Cancer Treatment

Radiation therapy aimed at the head and neck and

chemotherapy can cause problems in the mouth and

throat. NIDCR can supply free information about

taking care of your mouth during cancer treatment.

Booklets are available in English and Spanish:

• Chemotherapy and Your Mouth 

• Head and Neck Radiation Treatment and Your

Mouth 

• Three Good Reasons to See a Dentist BEFORE

Cancer Treatment

Materials are available online at http://www.

nidcr.nih.gov, or by contacting the NIDCR

Clearinghouse:

National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial

Research

National Oral Health Information Clearinghouse

1 NOHIC Way

Bethesda, MD 20892–3500

Tel: 1–866–232–4528

Fax: 301– 480–4098

Email: nidcrinfo@mail.nih.gov

49
National Institute on Deafness and Other

Communication Disorders

The National Institute on Deafness and Other

Communication Disorders (NIDCD) supports and

conducts research and research training on the normal

and disordered processes of hearing, balance, smell,

taste, voice, speech, and language.

The Institute provides health information to the

public, health professionals, patients, and industry

representatives on the Internet and through the NIDCD

Information Clearinghouse. Information specialists at

the Clearinghouse are available by phone (toll-free),

e-mail, and mail to help you find resources related to

NIDCD’s seven areas of research.

People who are undergoing treatment for oral cancer

may be interested in the following NIDCD fact sheets,

available in both English and Spanish:

• Dysphagia

• Taking Care of Your Voice

• Taste Disorders

• Vocal Cord Paralysis

Materials are available online at http://www.

nidcd.nih.gov, or by contacting the NIDCD

Clearinghouse:

National Institute on Deafness and 

Other Communication Disorders Clearinghouse

1 Communication Avenue

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The National Cancer Institute 

The National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the

National Institutes of Health, is the Federal

Government’s principal agency for cancer research

and training. NCI conducts and supports basic and

clinical research to find better ways to prevent,

diagnose, and treat cancer. The Institute also supports

education and training for cancer research and

treatment programs. In addition, NCI is responsible

for communicating its research findings to the

medical community and the public.

Copyright permission

You must have permission to use or reproduce the

artwork in this booklet for other purposes. The

artwork was created by private sector illustrators,

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NCI. In many cases, artists will grant you permission,

but they may require a credit line and/or usage fees.

To inquire about permission to reproduce NCI

artwork, please write to: 

Office of Communications and Education

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You do not need our permission to reproduce or

translate NCI written text. The written text of this

NCI booklet is in the public domain, and it is not

subject to copyright restrictions. However, we would

appreciate a credit line and a copy of your translation

of this NCI booklet.
NIH Publication No. 09-1574

Revised July 2009

Printed September 2009