FOR PATIENTS · SOURCE READING
Treatment of Stage I 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 I 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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internal radiation therapy with or without external radiation therapy
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Front of the tongue
If cancer is in the front of the tongue, treatment may include:
surgery (wide local excision)
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internal radiation therapy with or without external radiation therapy
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radiation therapy to lymph nodes in the neck
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Buccal mucosa
If cancer is in the buccal mucosa (the lining of the inside of the cheeks), treatment may include:
surgery (wide local excision) for tumors smaller than 1 centimeter, with or without internal and/or external radiation therapy
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surgery (wide local excision with skin graft) 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) for tumors smaller than ½ centimeter
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surgery (wide local excision) or radiation therapy for larger 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 skin graft)
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radiation therapy with or without 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 may include 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 is usually surgery (wide local excision) with or without radiation therapy.
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Use our clinical trial search to find NCI-supported cancer clinical trials that are accepting patients. You can search for trials based on the type of cancer, the age of the patient, and where the trials are being done. General information about clinical trials is also available.
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Preserved source evidence · Independent clinical review pending · Not medical advice
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