Check the inside of the cheeks and the back gums. Check the tongue, including the sides and underneath. Check for enlarged lymph nodes in the neck and under the jaw. Regular dental checkups that include an examination of the entire mouth are also important in the early detection of oral cancer or precancerous conditions. Your physician should also check your mouth as part of a routine physical exam.
Radiation therapy is very localized, aimed at only the area where the cancer is present.
Radiation therapy may be administered externally with a machine, or internally with radioactive materials. Chemotherapy has the ability to interfere with the cancer cell's replication. Chemotherapy may be used in combination with surgery and radiation therapy. Side effects of treatment for oral cancer vary, depending on the type of treatment and the area being treated. Side effects can be temporary or permanent.