Every time you go to the dental office for a routine checkup, they examine your mouth for signs of oral cancer. This disease can be deadly, but it can oftentimes be treated when caught in its beginning stages. Early detection is key to making a full recovery! However, this begs the question: how fast does oral cancer spread? Continue reading to learn more about oral cancer, common risk factors, and symptoms to look out for.
How Quickly Can Oral Cancer Spread?
Oral cancer spreads when cells from the tumor break free of the growth and implant on another organ or tissue. This is called “metastasis.” While oral cancer can spread anywhere, it most commonly moves on to the lungs and surrounding lymph nodes. It is challenging to determine a timeline when generalizing oral cancer as there are a variety of factors that play a role, and metastasis is a complicated process that is not fully understood. One of the major factors is the type of oral cancer.
For instance, with squamous cell carcinoma, the tumor grows and spreads very quickly – sometimes within a few weeks or months. Other types of oral cancer can take many months or years before they begin to spread.
What Are the Risk Factors of Oral Cancer?
Some people are more likely to develop oral cancer than others. If any of the following apply to you, it is especially crucial that you attend regular oral cancer screenings:
- Tobacco Use: Smoking cigarettes or using other tobacco products can lead to oral cancer.
- Alcohol Consumption: If you consume excessive alcohol, this increases your risk of oral cancer.
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV): Certain strains of HPV are associated with oral cancer.
- Age and Gender: Your risk of oral cancer increases as you age, and it more commonly affects men.
- Sun Exposure: Excessive sun exposure can lead to skin cancer on the lips and other areas of the body.
- Previous Oral Cancer: If you have a history of oral cancer, you are at a higher risk of reoccurrence.
What Are the Symptoms of Oral Cancer
In some cases, people have oral cancer for a while without noticing that anything’s wrong. That’s why it’s so important to see your dentist for routine cancer screenings while also keeping the symptoms in mind. Here are some of the most common:
- Lump/thickening on the cheeks, mouth, or lips
- Pain in the mouth
- Red or white patch on the tongue, tonsils, gums, or lining of the mouth
- Unhealing sore in the mouth
- Persistent sore throat
- Loosening of the teeth
- Difficulty moving the jaw or tongue
- Voice changes
- Swelling or pain in the jaw
- Numbness in or around the mouth
- Lump in the back of the throat or neck
- Unexplained weight loss
- Feeling of something in the throat
If you aren’t already scheduled for your next dental checkup and oral cancer screening, there is no sense in waiting. An early diagnosis could save your life!
About the Author
Dr. Lauri Barge earned her dental doctorate from the Texas A&M College of Dentistry. She is committed to pursuing continuing education whenever she can, including the Core Curriculum for complex restorative and aesthetic cases at the Las Vegas Institute. Currently, she is a proud member of numerous professional organizations, including the American Dental Association, the Academy of General Dentistry, and the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. To learn more about oral cancer screenings or to schedule an appointment at her office in Flower Mound, visit her website or call (972) 539-3800.