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Treatment of Stage II Lip and Oral Cavity Cancer
Source: Lip and Oral Cavity Cancer Treatment (PDQ®)–Patient Version, National Cancer Institute.
Source updated: May 16, 2025 · Captured 2026-09-09.
Selected source text with whitespace normalised. This Triangle page is not an NCI PDQ summary. Independent clinical review is pending.
Learn about the treatments listed below in the Treatment Option Overview.
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Treatment of stage II lip and oral cavity cancer depends on where cancer is found in the lip and oral cavity.
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Lip
If cancer is in the lip, treatment may include:
surgery (wide local excision)
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external radiation therapy and/or internal radiation therapy
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Front of the tongue
If cancer is in the front of the tongue, treatment may include:
radiation therapy and/or surgery (wide local excision)
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internal radiation therapy with surgery (neck dissection)
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Buccal mucosa
If cancer is in the buccal mucosa (the lining of the inside of the cheeks), treatment may include:
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radiation therapy for tumors that are 3 centimeters or smaller
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surgery (wide local excision) and/or radiation therapy for larger tumors
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Floor of the mouth
If cancer is in the floor (bottom) of the mouth, treatment may include:
surgery (wide local excision)
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radiation therapy
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surgery (wide local excision) followed by external radiation therapy, with or without internal radiation therapy, for large tumors
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Lower gingiva
If cancer is in the lower gingiva (gums), treatment may include:
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surgery (wide local excision, which may include removing part of the jawbone, and a skin graft)
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radiation therapy alone or after surgery
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Retromolar trigone
If cancer is in the retromolar trigone (the small area behind the wisdom teeth), treatment may include:
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surgery (wide local excision, which includes removing part of the jawbone)
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radiation therapy with or without surgery
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Upper gingiva or hard palate
If cancer is in the upper gingiva (gums) or the hard palate (the roof of the mouth), treatment may include:
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surgery (wide local excision) with or without radiation therapy
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radiation therapy alone
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Preserved source evidence · Independent clinical review pending · Not medical advice