Treatment of Stage IV Nonmetastatic Lip and Oral Cavity Cancer

Learn about the treatments listed below in the Treatment Option Overview.

Treatment of stages IVA and IVB 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 surgery and external radiation therapy with or without internal radiation therapy.

Front of the tongue

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

• 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

Buccal mucosa

If cancer is in the buccal mucosa (the lining of the inside of the cheeks), treatment may include surgery (wide local excision) and/or radiation therapy.

Floor of the mouth

If cancer is in the floor (bottom) of the mouth, treatment may include surgery before or after radiation therapy.

Lower gingiva

If cancer is in the lower gingiva (gums), treatment may include surgery and/or radiation therapy.

Retromolar trigone

If cancer is in the retromolar trigone (the small area behind the wisdom teeth), treatment may include surgery to remove the tumor, lymph nodes, and part of the jawbone, followed by 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 surgery with radiation therapy.

Lymph nodes

For cancer that may have spread to lymph nodes, treatment may include radiation therapy and/or surgery (neck dissection).

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.