Childhood Oral Cavity Cancer

Childhood cancers of the oral cavity can arise in different parts of the mouth, including the roof of the mouth, gums, lining of the cheeks, behind the wisdom teeth, and the bottom and front two-thirds of the tongue. Several types of cancer can affect the oral cavity, including lymphoma, sarcoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and mucoepidermoid carcinoma. Most tumors (>90%) that arise in the mouths of children are benign. 

Risk factors for childhood oral cavity cancer include: 

• infection with human papillomavirus (HPV), the odds of which are increased in those not vaccinated against HPV; 
• chronic graft-versus-host disease (GvHD); and 
• certain genetic conditions, including Fanconi anemia, dyskeratosis congenita, connexin gene mutations, epidermolysis bullosa, and xeroderma pigmentosum. 

Symptoms of childhood oral cavity cancer can include: 

• mouth sores that do not heal; 
• a lump or thickening in the mouth; 
• discolored gums, tongue, or mouth lining; and 
• mouth bleeding or pain. 

Childhood Oral Cavity Cancer Treatment (PDQ®)

Source: National Cancer Institute