Differential diagnosis
Further management
NICE cancer referral guidelines for head and neck cancer suggest the following:
Consider a suspected cancer pathway referral (for an appointment within 2 weeks) for laryngeal cancer in people aged 45 and over with:
Consider a suspected cancer pathway referral (for an appointment within 2 weeks) for oral cancer in people with either:
Consider an urgent referral (for an appointment within 2 weeks) for assessment for possible oral cancer by a dentist in people who have either:
Consider a suspected cancer pathway referral by the dentist (for an appointment within 2 weeks) for oral cancer in people when assessed by a dentist as having either:
Laryngeal cancer
Consider a suspected cancer pathway referral (for an appointment within 2 weeks) for laryngeal cancer in people aged 45 and over with:
- persistent unexplained hoarseness or
- an unexplained lump in the neck.
Oral cancer
Consider a suspected cancer pathway referral (for an appointment within 2 weeks) for oral cancer in people with either:
- unexplained ulceration in the oral cavity lasting for more than 3 weeks or
- a persistent and unexplained lump in the neck.
Consider an urgent referral (for an appointment within 2 weeks) for assessment for possible oral cancer by a dentist in people who have either:
- a lump on the lip or in the oral cavity or
- a red or red and white patch in the oral cavity consistent with erythroplakia or erythroleukoplakia.
Consider a suspected cancer pathway referral by the dentist (for an appointment within 2 weeks) for oral cancer in people when assessed by a dentist as having either:
- a lump on the lip or in the oral cavity consistent with oral cancer or
- a red or red and white patch in the oral cavity consistent with erythroplakia or erythroleukoplakia.
TYPES
Red lesions in mouthWhite lesions in mouth