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People also ask
How does oral cancer spread?
Does oral cancer spread to lungs?
Where does oral cancer start?
How fast does oral cancer spread?
Can Oral cancer spread if not caught early?
Where does cancer spread?
Sep 16, 2024 · Advanced cancer means cancer that started in the mouth or oropharynx has spread to another part of the body. Sometimes cancer is advanced when it is first diagnosed. Or the cancer has come back and spread after treatment for the original cancer.
- Survival
These figures are for people diagnosed between 2014 and...
- Treatment
The main treatments for mouth and oropharyngeal cancer are...
- Mouth And Oropharyngeal Cancer
Advanced mouth and oropharyngeal cancer is cancer that...
- Survival
- Overview
- How quickly does oral cancer spread?
- Where does oral cancer spread?
- How do you know if oral cancer has spread?
- What is the outlook for people with oral cancer?
- Frequently asked questions
- Takeaway
The most common type of oral cancer tends to spread quickly, but progression depends on several factors, including location. Early diagnosis and treatment are key.
Oral cancer refers to cancer that starts in the oral cavity (mouth). Oral cancer tumors usually begin in the lips or tongue. This type of cancer can also affect the floor or roof of the mouth, cheek lining, or gums.
Doctors refer to cancer that starts in the oropharynx as oropharyngeal cancer. The oropharynx contains the throat, tongue, soft palate, and tonsils.
With early diagnosis, oral cancer is highly treatable. When not caught early, oral cancer can grow and spread (metastasize).
This article will explore how oral cancer progresses, including where and how quickly it spreads.
•lip or mouth sores that don’t heal
Cancer type
The type of oral cancer you have, the location of the tumor, and the stage it was in when you started treatment will be key factors in determining how quickly it may spread. More than 90% of oral cancers are squamous cell carcinomas. This type of cancer originates in thin, flat cells called squamous cells. Progression of oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs) can be rapid and spread to nearby or even distant regions of the body. About 3–7% of oral squamous cell carcinomas spread to a secondary location each year, according to a 2021 review. In a 2017 study, it took a median of 10–12 months for OSCC, even after treating the primary tumor, to spread either locally, regionally, or to distant structures. Some metastases developed in only 3 months. But some OSCCs can develop slowly. Verrucous carcinoma, an OSCC subtype, typically grows slowly and is unlikely to spread. Other types of oral cancer include: •lymphoma •sarcoma •salivary gland cancers •mucosal melanoma
Cancer location
The primary site of your oral cancer may also determine how likely it is to spread and how far. According to a 2016 study, about 1 in 15 gum cancers had spread to distant structures, compared to 1 in 25 tongue cancers. Lip cancers, the most common oral cancers, spread to nearby lymph nodes 3–29% of the time, but distant metastasis was rare.
Doctors classify oral cancer growth and spread using stages 0 through 4. They can further divide stage 4 into three substages (4A, 4B, and 4C) depending on where the cancer has spread. The higher the stage, the more advanced the cancer.
When oral cancer starts to spread, it infiltrates nearby lymph nodes in the neck on the same side as the primary (first) tumor. This typically occurs during stage 3.
Moderately advanced disease occurs during early stage 4A. The cancer may spread to nearby areas, including:
•jaw or facial bones
•the nerve to the jawbone (inferior alveolar)
•the skin of the chin or nose
Oral cancer that has spread may cause symptoms in the areas of metastasis. These symptoms can often indicate other conditions, so it can be difficult to determine whether the symptoms are due to oral cancer.
If oral cancer has spread to the lymph nodes in your neck, you may notice a lump or swollen area. You may also feel neck pain or pain when you swallow.
If it has spread to the lungs, you may have a continual cough. You may also have chest pain or shortness of breath.
Oral cancer that spreads to your bones may weaken them, causing them to break more easily. You may feel pain in your back or other areas of the body.
If you have oral cancer, your healthcare team will work with you on treatment options.
The earlier your diagnosis, the more optimistic your outlook. The site of the primary tumor and other factors, such as your overall health, will play a role.
The 5-year relative survival rate is the percentage of people with the condition who are still alive 5 years after diagnosis compared with people without the condition. The American Cancer Society lists these 5-year relative survival rates for oral cancer:
Keep in mind that the survival rates are averages based on previous data. Each situation is unique, and advances in diagnosis and treatment may lead to higher current and future survival rates.
Can mouth cancer spread to the brain?
Metastasis of oral cancer to the brain can occur but is extremely rare and unlikely.
Can mouth cancer spread to another person?
No. HPV-16, a subtype of the human papillomavirus (HPV) causes some oral and oropharyngeal cancers. HPV is contagious, but cancer is not.
How long can someone live with untreated mouth cancer?
It’s hard to say how long someone will live with untreated oral cancer. Many people do far better than expected. A 2018 study notes that people with early-stage untreated oral cancer had a 5-year survival rate of 31.1%. People with stage 4 untreated oral cancer had a 5-year survival rate of 12.6%.
Oral cancers usually spread at a moderate-to-fast pace. The location of the primary tumor and the type of cancer you have will influence how quickly it spreads.
Since there’s no screening test for oral cancer, you may not realize you have it until it has reached a later stage. While your outlook is best the earlier you detect it, oral cancer is treatable at any stage.
- Corey Whelan
Feb 10, 2023 · Oral cancer spreads when cells from the tumor break free of the growth and implant on another organ or tissue. Though oral cancer can spread anywhere, doctors often look for oral...
- The most common staging system for oral cancer is the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) TNM system. This measures the tumor size (T), lymph...
- Survival rates can vary for untreated oral cancer. According to a 2018 study, the 5-year survival rate for early-stage oral cancer is around 31%, w...
- The length of time it takes oral cancers to grow and spread can vary. The most common type of oral cancer, squamous cell carcinoma, spreads quickly.
- A person may experience other symptoms that indicate cancer may have spread. Oral cancer often spreads to the lungs, which could cause a person to...
- The most common type of oral cancer, squamous cell carcinoma, is often fast spreading. However, the speed of growth and spread can vary greatly.
5 days ago · The most common symptom of mouth cancer is an ulcer or sore in the mouth that doesn’t heal or go away over time. It is typical of the early stages of the disease. These ulcers may appear as blisters, cracks, or splits on the lining of the mouth. If the ulcer doesn’t heal after 3 weeks, it is usually a cause for concern.
Oct 10, 2024 · If the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, then a cure is unlikely but it will be possible to slow the progress of the cancer and help relieve symptoms by using surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
The treatment you'll have for mouth cancer depends on: the size of the cancer. where the cancer is. if it has spread to other parts of your body. if the cancer has certain genetic changes. your age and general health.
Advanced mouth and oropharyngeal cancer is cancer that started in the mouth or oropharynx and has spread to another part of the body. Research and clinical trials for mouth and oropharyngeal cancer. All treatments must be fully researched before they can be adopted as standard treatment for everyone. Living with mouth and oropharyngeal cancer.
