You probably already know that the sooner oral cancer is detected, the better the chances of long-term survival. Yes, timely detection and treatment are vital in order to stop the disease before it spreads throughout the body and causes potentially fatal harm. Still, you might wonder how long it can take for this condition to reach that point. Just how fast does oral cancer spread? This blog post explains some important information.
Factors that Affect How Quickly Oral Cancer Spreads
Cancer can spread at different rates. Some cases progress very quickly, whereas other take years to grow. There are at least three major factors that can have a bearing on how fast oral cancer spreads:
The Type of Cancer:
“Cancer: is a general that can be used to describe a range of specific conditions. Most cases of oral cancer are squamous cell carcinomas. They start out as flat, thin cells known as squamous cells. This type of cancer usually spreads quickly, with around 3 – 7% of cases reaching a secondary location within one year.
Other types of cancer, such as verrucous carcinomas, usually spread at a much slower rate.
The Cancer’s Location:
The primary site of cancer, where the disease originates in the body, can significantly influence how quickly it spreads. For example, cancers of the gums may spread more quickly than those that start in the tongue.
The Patient’s Overall Health:
If a cancer patient had poor health prior to their diagnosis, the cancer may spread more quickly than it would in a person who was otherwise healthy. Factors such as immune system strength, eating habits, and the presence of other health conditions can all influence how quickly cancer is able to spread.
Fighting Cancer Before It Spreads
When it comes to oral cancer, the best offense is truly a good defense! You can reduce your risk of having a devastating case of this disease if you take these steps:
- Manage your risk factors: Smoking, chewing tobacco, and the overuse of alcohol are some of the biggest risk factors for oral cancer, so you should avoid such habits or, at the very least, cut back on them.
- Maintain your overall health: A nutritious diet, a routine of physical activity, and an overall healthy lifestyle can reduce your risk of many types of cancers.
- Monitor your oral health: Regularly check your mouth for anything that might indicate the presence of cancer, such as growths, discoloration, or persistent sores. You should also keep an eye out for symptoms like a sore throat that does not go away, voice changes, loose teeth, and unexplained pain.
- Get regular screenings: Make it your goal to get screened for oral cancer at least once a year. Most dentists include a screening as part of a routine checkup.
- Act quickly if you might have cancer: If your dentist expresses concern that you may have cancer, promptly follow up with testing and treatment.
Oral cancer can spread quickly! Be proactive about your oral and overall health so you do not become another victim of this disease.
Meet the Practice
At Piney Point Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, our team offers oral cancer screenings, testing, and surgical treatment of cancerous growths. If you have concerns about your cancer or simply wish to get screened, we would be happy to serve you. Get in touch with our Houston office at 713-783-5560.