Overview
Tobacco, alcohol, and HPV raise risk.
Lasting over 3 weeks needs checking.
When to get medical care
Causes
Causes include infections and head and neck cancer.
OwieClear has pages on 3 conditions that can cause sore throat or ear pain on one side that won't go away, or a lump on the tongue. Each shows how soon to get care.
Common causes
- Lip and oral cavity cancer (mouth cancer)See a doctor if it doesn't get better
Cancer of the lips, tongue, gums, floor of the mouth, cheek lining, or roof of the mouth.
- Oropharyngeal cancer (throat and tonsil cancer)See a doctor if it doesn't get better
Cancer of the middle part of the throat, including the tonsils, back of the tongue, and soft palate.
- Mouth, throat, or voice box cancer (needs checking)See a doctor if it doesn't get better
Cancer in the mouth, tongue, tonsils, throat, or voice box.
What you can do at home
- Keep all follow-up appointments.
- Write down your questions.
Medicines
Treatment depends on what tests find.
At the doctor
Tests will look for the cause.
Questions you may be asked
- How long
- Weight loss
- Smoking and family history
The exam
A physical exam.
Tests
- Scope exam
- Biopsy
Prevention
Lower your risk.
- Don't smoke
- Get recommended screenings
Check your symptoms
Most symptoms have more than one possible cause. The symptom checker looks at all of your symptoms together, plus your age, and shows how soon to get care.
Sources
Last updated 2026-11-13.