Mouth Cancer Dictionary

pharynx: The part of the throat that extends behind the nose and mouth and down to the larynx (voice box).

precancerous lesions: Areas of the mouth that are either white (leukoplakia) or red (erythroplakia), these lesions often indicate an increased likelihood of mouth cancer.

punch biopsy: A type of biopsy in which a full-thickness skin sample is obtained by surgical means.

radiation therapy: A cancer treatment technique that uses radiation to control the growth and spread of cancerous cells.

recurrence: In cancer, a recurrence is when cancer growth that had previously been under control or eliminated comes back, either at the same site as before or at a new site in the body.

salivary gland cancer: Not included as a type of mouth cancer, salivary gland cancer involves cancer of the glands that produce saliva.

smokeless tobacco: A form of tobacco (chewing tobacco, dip, snuff, spit tobacco) that is chewed rather than smoked. Smokeless tobacco carries the same risks as smoked tobacco.