Oral cancer how fast does it spread

In this method T describes the tumor, N describes the lymph nodes, and M describes distant metastasis. T3 Tumor more than 4 cm in greatest dimension. Lip Tumor invades adjacent structures e. T4 Oral cavity Tumor invades adjacent structures e. N1 Metastasis in a single ipsilateral lymph node, 3 cm or less in greatest dimension.

N2 Metastasis in a single ipsilateral lymph node, more than 3 cm but not more than 6 cm in greatest dimension; in multiple ipsilateral lymph nodes, none more than 6 cm in greatest dimension; in bilateral or contralateral lymph nodes, none more than 6 cm in greatest dimension. N2a Metastasis in single ipsilateral lymph node more than 3 cm but not more than 6 cm in greatest dimension.

N2b Metastasis in multiple ipsilateral lymph nodes, none more than 6 cm in greatest dimension. N2c Metastasis in bilateral or contralateral lymph nodes, none more than 6 cm in greatest dimension. For example a patient described as a T2N1M0 , has a primary tumor of between 2 and 4 cm, that has metastasized to a single node on one side, and that node is less than 3cm in size, and there are no distant metastases present.

Differentiation: In cancer, refers to how mature developed the cancer cells are in a tumor. Differentiated tumor cells resemble normal cells and tend to grow and spread at a slower rate than undifferentiated or poorly differentiated tumor cells, which lack the structure and function of normal cells and grow uncontrollably.

In other words, poorly differentiated tumors are able to cross all boundaries of tissue types muscle, soft tissue, etc. Invasive: Another term commonly used when describing disease state is invasive. In terms of cancer, the term focal means limited to a specific area. Forum Login. Stages of Cancer. Stages of cancer of the lip and oral cavity After it has been determined that an actual cancer exists, the degree to which the cancer has developed is determined.

The following stages are used to describe cancer of the lip and oral cavity: Stage I The cancer is less than 2 centimeters in size about 1 inch , and has not spread to lymph nodes in the area lymph nodes are small almond shaped structures that are found throughout the body which produce and store infection-fighting cells.

Stage II The cancer is more than 2 centimeters in size, but less than 4 centimeters less than 2 inches , and has not spread to lymph nodes in the area. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; chap Cancer and oral care of patients with cancer. St Louis, MO: Elsevier; chap National Cancer Institute website.

Oropharyngeal cancer treatment adult PDQ - health professional version. Updated January 27, Accessed March 31, Malignant neoplasms of the oral cavity. Editorial team. Oral cancer. Oral cancer is cancer that starts in the mouth.

Oral cancer most commonly involves the lips or the tongue. It may also occur on the: Cheek lining Floor of the mouth Gums gingiva Roof of the mouth palate Most oral cancers are a type called squamous cell carcinoma. Other factors that may increase the risk for oral cancer include: Long-term chronic rubbing, such as from rough teeth, dentures, or fillings Taking medicines immunosuppressants that weaken the immune system Poor dental and oral hygiene Some oral cancers begin as a white plaque leukoplakia or as a mouth ulcer.

Men develop oral cancer twice as often as women do. It is more common in men older than Check with your surgeon. I heard that mouth cancer has a higher proportion of deaths compared to the number of cases than breast cancer.

Is that true? Why do you think that is? In the last 40 years, there have been tremendous improvements in the care of oral cancer. These include advances in surgeries to remove the cancer and reconstruction for cosmetic and functional rehabilitation. Radiation and chemotherapy have improved our ability to control even very advanced cancers with newer drugs and newer techniques that deliver radiation without some of the side effects seen in the past.

Targeted therapies drugs that attack the cancer cells at the molecular level are starting to come into wider use and hold great promise for the future. However, despite these advances, the overall survival from head and neck cancer is still very low. Unlike more common cancers, such as lung and breast cancer that have received more public attention and government research funding, cancer of the head, neck and oral cavity is rarer, and knowledge about this often deadly disease is lacking.

Physicians like myself are trying to change this through patient education, raising public awareness, and pursuing active clinical and basic science research in the field. You can help by educating yourself and others about this disease and raising public awareness of this problem. Smoking cessation is one concrete example of a way to help stem the tide of head and neck cancer deaths in this country.

My father has squamous cell cancer of the throat, tongue and cheek. It has also been found on his rib. He has a feeding tube and a tracheotomy.

Recently his mouth has become terribly swollen. What can this be and what can be done? If your father is currently getting chemotherapy and radiation, or has recently completed treatment, he may have mucositis. This is a known side effect of radiation to the oral cavity and is like getting a bad sunburn inside your mouth.

The cells that line the mouth turn over every three days or so and are replaced by new cells. Radiation and chemotherapy can accelerate that process so that large areas of the tongue, inner lining of the cheek, and roof of the mouth can all become raw and exposed. This can then lead to inflammation and infection as the protective lining of the mouth is compromised. A gentle mouth rinse with salt water can help keep the mouth clean.

There are also prescription and over-the-counter oral rinses that can help. Some radiation oncologists will prescribe Trental pentoxifylline and vitamin A to reduce post-radiation scar tissue. There is some evidence that this combination of drugs can also decrease the severity and duration of the mucositis. I would discuss these options with your doctors. My daughter who is 42 noticed a bump on the left side of her tongue about five weeks ago.

She went to her dentist right away and he sent her to an oral surgeon. The biopsy came back as oral cancer. Her surgeon feels that she will be okay. Postsurgery symptoms can include pain and swelling, but removing small tumors usually has no associated long-term problems. The removal of larger tumors could possibly affect your ability to chew, swallow, or talk as well as you did before the surgery. You might also need reconstructive surgery to rebuild the bones and tissues in your face removed during surgery.

Radiation therapy can have a negative effect on the body. Some of the side effects of radiation include:. Chemotherapy drugs can be toxic to rapidly growing noncancerous cells. This can cause side effects such as:. Recovering from targeted therapies is usually minimal. The side effects of this treatment can include:. Your doctor will discuss the side effects and help you weigh the pros and cons of your treatment options. People who are diagnosed with advanced oral cancer will likely need reconstructive surgery and some rehabilitation to assist with eating and speaking during recovery.

Reconstruction can involve dental implants or grafts to repair the missing bones and tissues in the mouth or face. Artificial palates are used to replace any missing tissue or teeth.

Rehabilitation is also necessary for cases of advanced cancer. Speech therapy can be provided from the time you get out of surgery until you reach the maximum level of improvement. The outlook for oral cancers depends on the specific type and stage of cancer at diagnosis. It also depends on your general health, your age, and your tolerance and response to treatment. Early diagnosis is critical because treating stage 1 and stage 2 cancers may be less involved and have a higher chance of successful treatment.

Your checkups will usually consist of physical exams, blood tests, X-rays, and CT scans. Make sure to follow up with your dentist or oncologist if you notice anything out of the ordinary.

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