Floor of the Mouth Cancer – Symptoms and Causes

Overview

Floor of the mouth cancer refers to cancer that develops in the soft tissue beneath the tongue, an area known as the floor of the mouth. This region plays a role in speaking, swallowing, and supporting the tongue.

Most cases begin in squamous cells, the thin, flat cells lining the inside of the mouth. When these cells grow uncontrollably, the condition is known as squamous cell carcinoma, the most common type of oral cancer.

Signs and Symptoms

Floor of the mouth cancer can cause a variety of symptoms, especially as the tumor grows or spreads. Common symptoms may include:

• A sore or ulcer in the mouth that doesn’t heal
• Pain in the mouth or under the tongue
• A lump or thickening in the floor of the mouth
• Difficulty moving the tongue
• Changes in how dentures fit or how teeth align
• Teeth becoming loose without clear reason
• Pain when swallowing (odynophagia)
• Unexplained weight loss
• Pain in the ear (referred pain)
• Persistent bad breath
• Swelling or painful lumps in the neck (possible lymph node involvement)
• White or red patches inside the mouth that do not go away

These symptoms may start subtly but tend to worsen over time. A persistent mouth sore or swelling beneath the tongue is often one of the earliest signs people notice.

When to Visit a Healthcare Provider

If you notice any concerning symptoms in your mouth, don’t wait. Schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider right away.

Causes

Floor of the mouth cancer begins when cells beneath the tongue undergo DNA changes. DNA contains instructions that control cell behavior.

In normal cells, DNA directs orderly growth, reproduction, and death. When DNA becomes altered, cells receive incorrect instructions.

These altered instructions make cancer cells multiply rapidly and avoid natural death. This leads to an excessive buildup of cells.

The accumulating cells may form a tumor that invades nearby healthy tissue. As the disease progresses, cancer cells can:

• Break away from the original tumor
• Travel through blood or lymphatic system
• Establish new tumors in distant body parts (metastasis)

DNA changes can occur randomly or result from environmental factors.

When these abnormal cells spread beyond their original location, doctors classify it as metastatic cancer, which is more difficult to treat than localized cancer.

Risk Factors

Several elements can raise your chances of developing floor of the mouth cancer:

• Tobacco Use: Any form of tobacco raises cancer risk, including:
  • Cigarettes
  • Cigars
  • Pipes
  • Chewing tobacco
  • Snuff
• Alcohol Consumption: Regular heavy drinking increases cancer risk. When combined with tobacco, the risk becomes even higher.
• HPV Exposure: Human papillomavirus spreads through sexual contact. While it often causes no issues and clears on its own, in some people it creates cell changes that may lead to cancer.
• Weakened Immune System: People with compromised immune systems face higher risks. This includes individuals:
  • Taking immune-suppressing medications after organ transplants
  • Living with conditions like HIV

Prevention

Taking steps to protect your health can lower your chances of getting floor of the mouth cancer. Here are key prevention strategies:

• Avoid tobacco products completely. If you don’t use tobacco, don’t start. If you currently smoke or use other tobacco products, speak with a healthcare provider about quitting methods that might work for you.
• Drink alcohol in moderation or not at all. For women, this means no more than one drink daily, while men should limit themselves to two drinks per day maximum.
• Consider HPV vaccination. HPV has been linked to certain oral cancers. Talk to your doctor about whether getting vaccinated against HPV is appropriate for you.
• Schedule regular checkups. Both dental and medical examinations are important. Healthcare professionals can spot early warning signs during routine mouth examinations before symptoms develop.