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PrintTypes of Lip and Mouth Cancer
What is a primary lip and mouth tumor?
A primary tumor is a tumor where the cancer first started to grow. Primary lip and mouth tumors can happen in any part of the oral cavity. These areas include:
- Tongue
- Upper and lower lip
- Upper and lower gums
- Roof of mouth (hard palate)
- Floor of the mouth
- Inside of the cheek and lips (buccal mucosa)
- Behind the wisdom teeth (retromolar trigone)
A primary tumor can be benign (non-cancer) or malignant (cancer).
Primary lip and mouth tumors happen either from the tissues that line the lips and mouth (the mucosa) or from tissues underneath the mucosa.
Cancer from the Mucosa
| • | Squamous cell carcinoma |
| • | Verrocous carcinoma |
| • | Melanoma |
| • | Basal carcinoma |
Cancer from underneath the Mucosa
| • | Mucoepidermoid carcinoma |
| • | Adenoid cystic carcinoma |
| • | Melanoma |
| • | Lymphoma |
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