Treatments for stage 0 oral cancer

The following are treatment options for stage 0 (carcinoma in situ) oral cancer. Your healthcare team will suggest treatments based on your needs and work with you to develop a treatment plan.

Surgery

Surgery is the main treatment for stage 0 oral cancer.

Wide local excision removes the tumour along with a margin of normal tissue around it. The amount of tissue removed along with the tumour depends on the location of the tumour. This surgery is usually done through the mouth (called the transoral approach).

Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy is rarely used for stage 0 oral cancer. It may be used if you cannot have surgery.

Clinical trials

Talk to your doctor about clinical trials open to people with oral cancer in Canada. Clinical trials look at new ways to prevent, find and treat cancer. Find out more about clinical trials.

Expert review and references

  • American Cancer Society. Oral Cavity and Oropharyngeal Cancer. 2016.
  • Cancer Research UK. The Mouth and Oropharynx. Cancer Research UK; 2016.
  • Koch WM, Stafford E, Chung C, Quon H . Cancer of the oral cavity. Harrison LB, Sessions RB, Kies MS. Head and Neck Cancer: A Multidisciplinary Approach. 4th ed. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2014: 16A:335-356.
  • National Comprehensive Cancer Network. NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology: Head and Neck Cancers (Version 1.2015). 2015.

Medical disclaimer

The information that the Canadian Cancer Society provides does not replace your relationship with your doctor. The information is for your general use, so be sure to talk to a qualified healthcare professional before making medical decisions or if you have questions about your health.

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