Cancerous tumours of the mouth
A cancerous tumour of the mouth can grow into and destroy nearby tissue. It can also spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body. Cancerous tumours are also called malignant tumours.
Squamous cell carcinoma
The most common type of oral cancer is squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). SCC starts in the flat, thin cells (called squamous cells) that make up the oral mucosa (mucous membrane).
Rare mouth tumours
The following cancerous tumours of the mouth are rare:
- salivary gland cancer
- melanoma
- bone and soft tissue sarcoma
- lymphoma
What’s the lifetime risk of getting cancer?
The latest Canadian Cancer Statistics report shows about half of Canadians are expected to be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime.
