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Treatment of Stage IV Lip and Oral Cavity Cancer

For information about the treatments listed below, see the Treatment Option Overview section.

Treatment of stages IVA, IVB, and IVC lip and oral cavity cancer depends on where cancer is found in the lip and oral cavity.

Lip

If cancer is in the lip, treatment may include the following:

  • Surgery and external radiation therapy with or without internal radiation therapy.
  • A clinical trial of chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
  • A clinical trial of chemotherapy before or after surgery.
  • A clinical trial of hyperfractionated radiation therapy.

Front of the tongue

If cancer is in the front of the tongue, treatment may include the following:

  • Surgery to remove the tongue and sometimes the larynx (voice box) with or without radiation therapy.
  • Radiation therapy as palliative therapy to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life.
  • A clinical trial of chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
  • A clinical trial of chemotherapy before or after surgery.
  • A clinical trial of hyperfractionated radiation therapy.

Buccal mucosa

If cancer is in the buccal mucosa (the lining of the inside of the cheeks), treatment may include the following:

  • Surgery (wide local excision) and/or radiation therapy.
  • A clinical trial of chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
  • A clinical trial of chemotherapy before or after surgery.
  • A clinical trial of hyperfractionated radiation therapy.

Floor of the mouth

If cancer is in the floor (bottom) of the mouth, treatment may include the following:

  • Surgery before or after radiation therapy.
  • A clinical trial of chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
  • A clinical trial of chemotherapy before or after surgery.
  • A clinical trial of hyperfractionated radiation therapy.

Lower gingiva

If cancer is in the lower gingiva (gums), treatment may include the following:

  • Surgery and/or radiation therapy.
  • A clinical trial of chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
  • A clinical trial of chemotherapy before or after surgery.
  • A clinical trial of hyperfractionated radiation therapy.

Retromolar trigone

If cancer is in the retromolar trigone (the small area behind the wisdom teeth), treatment may include the following:

  • Surgery to remove the tumor, lymph nodes, and part of the jawbone, followed by radiation therapy.
  • A clinical trial of chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
  • A clinical trial of chemotherapy before or after surgery.
  • A clinical trial of hyperfractionated radiation therapy.

Upper gingiva or hard palate

If cancer is in the upper gingiva (gums) or hard palate (the roof of the mouth), treatment may include the following:

  • Surgery with radiation therapy.
  • A clinical trial of chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
  • A clinical trial of chemotherapy before or after surgery.
  • A clinical trial of hyperfractionated radiation therapy.

Lymph nodes

For cancer that may have spread to lymph nodes, treatment may include the following:

  • Radiation therapy and/or surgery (neck dissection).
  • A clinical trial of chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
  • A clinical trial of chemotherapy before or after surgery.
  • A clinical trial of hyperfractionated radiation therapy.

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.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Navigating Care disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information. This information was sourced and adapted from Adapted from the National Cancer Institute's Physician Data Query (PDQ®) Cancer Information Summaries on www.cancer.gov.