TriangleFOR PATIENTS · SOURCE READING
Treatment of childhood oral cavity cancer
Source: Childhood Oral Cavity Cancer (PDQ®)–Patient Version, National Cancer Institute.
Source updated: March 12, 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.
There are different types of treatment for children with oral cavity cancer. You and your child's care team will work together to decide treatment. Many factors will be considered, such as where the cancer is located and your child's age and overall health.
Your child's treatment plan will include information about the cancer, the goals of treatment, treatment options, and the possible side effects. It will be helpful to talk with your child's care team before treatment begins about what to expect. For help every step of the way, see our booklet, Children with Cancer: A Guide for Parents.
Source links and citations
For oral cavity cancer in children, treatment might include:
Surgery is the most common treatment for oral cavity cancer in children. For children with an oral cavity tumor that is not cancer, surgery is likely the only treatment that will be needed. Learn more about Surgery to Treat Cancer.
Source links and citations
Chemotherapy (also called chemo) uses drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Chemotherapy may be given with other types of treatments.Chemotherapy can be given in different ways. For oral cavity cancer, chemotherapy is injected into a vein, enabling it to reach cancer cells throughout the body. Learn more about Chemotherapy to Treat Cancer.
Source links and citations
Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays or other types of radiation to kill cancer cells or keep them from growing. The type of radiation therapy most often used for oral cavity cancer is external beam radiation therapy. This treatment uses a machine outside the body to send radiation toward the area of the body with cancer. Learn more about External Beam Radiation Therapy for Cancer and Radiation Therapy Side Effects.
Source links and citations
Preserved source evidence · Independent clinical review pending · Not medical advice