Oral cancer physical examination

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Simrat Sarai, M.D. [2]

Overview

Common physical examination findings of oral cancer include a lump or thickening in the oral soft tissues, soreness, difficulty chewing or swallowing, ear pain, difficulty moving the jaw or tongue, hoarseness, numbness of the tongue or swelling of the jaw that causes dentures to fit poorly.

Physical Examination

A thorough head and neck examination should be a routine part of each patient's dental visit and general medical examination. This exam is abstracted from the standardized oral examination method recommended by the World Health Organization. The method is consistent with those followed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health. It requires adequate lighting, a dental mouth mirror, two 2" x 2" gauze squares, and gloves; it should take no longer than 5 minutes. Possible signs of oral cancer include:

• a lump or thickening in the oral soft tissues,
• soreness
• difficulty chewing or swallowing
• ear pain
• difficulty moving the jaw or tongue
• hoarseness
• numbness of the tongue or other areas of the mouth,
• swelling of the jaw that causes dentures to fit poorly or become uncomfortable

Appearance of the Patient

The general appearance of the patient is ill appearing, cachectic.

Ears

• Ear pain may be present

Throat

• Soreness of the throat may be present

Oral Cavity

• Difficulty in moving tongue may be present
• Numbness of the tongue may be present
• Swelling of the jaw may be present