May occur with lesions of the optic nerve or facial nerve; head injuries; upper respiratory tract infections; conditions affecting the nasal passages, including nasal polyps and sinusitis; and disorders associated with aging or neurologic illnesses, such as Parkinson disease or Alzheimer disease
Mouth or tongue sores that do not heal; red or white patches that persist; a lump or thickening; or rough, crusty, or eroded areas are warning signs of cancer and need to be referred for further evaluation