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