Cancer types
Mouth and tongue cancer (oropharyngeal)
Oral cavity is the medical name for the mouth. Mouth cancers can start in any area of the oral cavity including the the tongue, lips, gums (gingiva), floor and roof (hard palate) of the mouth, the inner lining of the lips and cheeks (buccal mucosa) and the area behind the wisdom teeth (retrimolar trigone).
The medical name for the throat is the "pharynx". It is divided into 3 parts: nasopharynx, laryngopharynx (also called hypopharynx) and oropharynx.
The oropharynx is the area that connects the mouth to the top of the throat. This includes the back of the tongue ( the part you can't see), the tonsils, the back of the top of the throat and the area at the back of the mouth.
The links in this section will help you to find out more about cancers of the mouth and tongue, (oral and oropharyngeal), the types of treatment that may be offered and what it involves.
There is information about additional support available for anyone affected by any type of head and neck cancer in the head and neck cancer help and support section
If you have been affected by cancer in some way and would like to talk to someone about what you have read or need help finding information - you are welcome to drop into any Maggie’s Centre or to visit Maggie’s Online Centre and talk with a cancer support specialist.
Mouth Cancer Foundation
National organisation
Mouth Cancer Foundation was formed in June 2004 to be a professional support organisation solely dedicated to helping people with mouth, throat and other head and neck cancers deal with the crisis of cancer. Through a variety of ways the charity gives resources, information and contact with people in a similar situation at a difficult time.
Macmillan Cancer Support
National organisation
Macmillan Cancer Support is a large cancer charity which has merged with Cancerbackup. Both Macmillan and Cancerbackup are dedicated to supporting people affected by cancer. Macmillan develops and provides a wide range of medical, practical, emotional and financial services, including the distribution of information. Cancerbackup is the specialist cancer information charity, and provides over 6,000 pages of up-to-date cancer information, practical advice and support for patients with any type of cancer, their families and carers.
Cancer Research UK (CRUK)
National organisation
Cancer Research UK,(CRUK) is a UK charity dedicated to cancer research. Their website has a wealth of information about cancer and research into all types of cancer.
Oral cavity cancer
Scroll down the page to read about cancers which affect the oral cavity (mouth).
Link last reviewed: Wednesday 29 May 2019
Produced by: Throat Cancer Foundation
Throat Cancer Foundation
National organisation
The Throat Cancer Foundation website offers information, support and community to those facing a throat cancer diagnosis, their carers and loved ones.
Throat Cancer Foundation
National organisation
The Throat Cancer Foundation website offers information, support and community to those facing a throat cancer diagnosis, their carers and loved ones.
American Cancer Society
International organisation
The American Cancer Society (ACS) is a voluntary health organization based in Atlanta, Georgia, They provide information and support for people affected by all types of cancer and develop research into cancer and it's treatment.
The Oral Cancer Foundation
International organisation
This American website will provide you with information about the rates of occurrence, risk factors which lead to oral cancer, signs and symptoms, treatments, current research, complications of treatment, nutrition, related clinical trials, and current oral cancer related news. There is an additional resource page dedicated to links to other sources of vetted information about oral cancer.
Oral Cancer Information
This American website will provide you with detailed information about oral cancers.
Link last reviewed: Wednesday 29 May 2019
Produced by: The Oral Cancer Foundation
The Oral Cancer Foundation
International organisation
This American website will provide you with information about the rates of occurrence, risk factors which lead to oral cancer, signs and symptoms, treatments, current research, complications of treatment, nutrition, related clinical trials, and current oral cancer related news. There is an additional resource page dedicated to links to other sources of vetted information about oral cancer.
Oropharyngeal cancer
Find out more about the most common type called squamous cell cancer of the oropharynx.
Link last reviewed: Wednesday 29 May 2019
Produced by: Macmillan Cancer Support
Macmillan Cancer Support
National organisation
Macmillan Cancer Support is a large cancer charity which has merged with Cancerbackup. Both Macmillan and Cancerbackup are dedicated to supporting people affected by cancer. Macmillan develops and provides a wide range of medical, practical, emotional and financial services, including the distribution of information. Cancerbackup is the specialist cancer information charity, and provides over 6,000 pages of up-to-date cancer information, practical advice and support for patients with any type of cancer, their families and carers.
