What Does Early-Stage Oral Cancer Look Like?

Early stages of oral cancer may present with various symptoms, mainly including: 1. Persistent non-healing oral ulcers: Ulcers may appear on the tongue, oral mucosa, gums, etc., and persist over time, proving difficult to heal through conventional methods. 2. Oral pain: Patients may experience unexplained oral pain, which worsens during chewing, speaking, or touching the affected area. 3. Abnormal bleeding: Unprovoked bleeding may occur within the mouth, such as bleeding gums while brushing teeth or eating. 4. Altered sensation: Early-stage oral cancer patients may feel numbness, pain, or a burning sensation in the mouth. These abnormal sensations may occur in the tongue, lips, or other oral tissues. 5. Other symptoms: Changes in color (such as darkening to black, white, or brown), swollen lymph nodes (especially abnormally enlarged lymph nodes in the neck), and other symptoms may also appear. If these symptoms persist or worsen, it is recommended to seek timely medical evaluation for early detection and treatment of oral cancer.