Can oral cancer ulceration with pus infect others?

Written by Liu Ping
Oncology
Updated on September 29, 2024
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Oral cancer ulceration and pus discharge indicate that the tumor cells and cancer cells are locally invasive and infiltrative, which is quite severe. Since the mouth communicates and comes into contact with the external environment, bacterial infection is inevitable. Thus, ulceration often coincides with bacterial infection, leading to inflammation and pus discharge, which can infect others. In terms of infection, bacteria can definitely be transmitted through direct contact and bodily fluid contact. However, it is generally believed that tumor cells are not transmitted to others via direct contact or bodily fluids, considering that a normal person has a functioning immune system capable of recognizing and destroying a small number of tumor cells. Additionally, the likelihood of tumor cells from one person being transmitted to another through bodily fluids is considered very low.

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Written by Fang Xiao
Dentistry
1min 6sec home-news-image

How to determine if it is oral cancer?

To determine if it is oral cancer, one can visit the dentistry department of a formal hospital for an oral examination and a local pathological biopsy. If cancer cells are found, it can be diagnosed as oral cancer. Additionally, CT scans and MRI can be performed to determine the location and size of the lesion. The onset of oral cancer generally starts with oral ulcers. If an oral ulcer persists and does not heal for more than two weeks, and the affected area shows cauliflower-like protrusions, hardening at the base, palpable lymph nodes, pain or exacerbation, and it affects eating and speech causing some obstacles or changes, early surgical treatment should be sought after the detection of oral cancer. Immediate radical surgery should be undertaken. If surgery is not possible, treatment through radiation or chemotherapy to reduce the tumor size before proceeding with surgical excision is recommended.

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Written by Wang Ji Zhong
Internal Medicine
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Where does oral cancer commonly metastasize to?

Oral cancer poses a significant threat to human health, thus early detection and treatment are crucial for effective outcomes. In addition to chronic, non-healing ulcers, early signs of oral cancer include abnormal growths, pain, bleeding, and relatively early metastasis. It can infiltrate nearby muscles involved in chewing and biting, the throat affecting swallowing and speech functions, and also spread to cervical lymph nodes, causing enlargement of these nodes. Therefore, besides the symptoms in the mouth, attention must also be given to adjacent organ tissues, especially the condition of the cervical lymph nodes, to ensure timely diagnosis and treatment for effective results.

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Written by Liu Ping
Oncology
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Can oral cancer be transmitted through kissing?

Can oral cancer be transmitted through kissing? From the perspective of cancer, general contact with bodily fluids and direct contact do not cause transmission. Even if the tumor cells from oral cancer are transmitted through saliva and come into contact with another person's body, if the other person has a normal immune system, this small amount of tumor cells, when contacted via this route, can be eliminated by the immune system. Therefore, transmission of oral cancer through kissing and bodily fluids generally does not occur; what gets transmitted are the bacteria and viruses in the mouth, such as the HPV virus, which may potentially be transmitted through kissing.

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Written by Liu Ping
Oncology
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Can oral cancer ulceration with pus infect others?

Oral cancer ulceration and pus discharge indicate that the tumor cells and cancer cells are locally invasive and infiltrative, which is quite severe. Since the mouth communicates and comes into contact with the external environment, bacterial infection is inevitable. Thus, ulceration often coincides with bacterial infection, leading to inflammation and pus discharge, which can infect others. In terms of infection, bacteria can definitely be transmitted through direct contact and bodily fluid contact. However, it is generally believed that tumor cells are not transmitted to others via direct contact or bodily fluids, considering that a normal person has a functioning immune system capable of recognizing and destroying a small number of tumor cells. Additionally, the likelihood of tumor cells from one person being transmitted to another through bodily fluids is considered very low.

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Written by Yan Chun
Oncology
53sec home-news-image

How long will it take for the swelling to go down after flap surgery for oral cancer?

After undergoing flap surgery for oral cancer, the surgical incision will generally need one to two months to reduce swelling. After the swelling has subsided, some sensation in the affected area will start to return. For patients with oral cancer, flap surgery is primarily conducted due to the extensive skin damage caused by radical excision of the cancer. Therefore, substitute surgery using a flap is necessary to ensure the postoperative appearance. However, after flap surgery, patients may experience some rejection reactions to the new flap, leading to swelling and redness at the site of the surgical incision. This condition generally subsides after anti-inflammatory treatment and natural absorption, typically within one to two months post-surgery.