Finding out you have a tumor is scary. You may wonder what effect it will have on your life. Noncancerous (benign) tumors are easily treated. Cancerous tumors may also be managed well when detected early. Actively participate with your doctors to decide on your treatment, and be sure to address your concerns.

A tumor is a mass of abnormal cells. It's either slow-growing and not cancer (benign) or fast-growing and cancer (malignant). Some tumors, especially cancerous ones, can be life-threatening. But most tumors can be treated.

You're more likely to get a tumor of the mouth or throat if you:

• Smoke cigarettes, pipes, vapes, or cigars
• Use chewing tobacco or snuff
• Drink alcohol
• Have poor oral health
• Are exposed to certain industrial chemicals
• Had a mouth or throat tumor in the past
• History of radiation exposure in the head or neck region
• Have a human papillomavirus (HPV) infection
• Are male (twice as common than females)
• Have poor nutrition and have extra body weight

If you have a mouth tumor, you or your doctor may have noticed one or more of the following:

• White or red patches on the cheeks, tongue, palate, or gums
• Mouth pain or numbness that doesn't go away
• A sore that doesn't heal in 1 or 2 weeks
• Loose teeth without any obvious injury
• Bleeding from the mouth that doesn't stop after a few days
• A swelling or lump that doesn't go away
• Problems with your teeth, dentures, or chewing

If you have a throat tumor, you or your doctor may have noticed one or more of the following:

• Hoarseness that doesn't go away
• Trouble swallowing
• A lump in your neck
• Throat pain that doesn't go away
• Aching, pain, or pressure in your ear
• A lasting cough, with or without bloody sputum
• Unexplained weight loss