The words to use
- Oropharyngeal cancer
- Cancer at the back of the mouth and throat, including the tonsils and base of the tongue. HPV is an important cause, and rates are rising across the UK.
- Leukoplakia
- A white patch inside the mouth with no other obvious cause. The NHS lists it as a risk factor for mouth cancer.
- Erythroplakia
- A red patch in the mouth with no other obvious cause. NICE lists red or red-and-white patches as a reason for urgent assessment or referral.
- Suspected cancer pathway referral
- NICE's urgent referral route. For mouth cancer it covers an unexplained ulcer over 3 weeks, a persistent neck lump, or a suspicious lump or red patch.
