Can oral cancer be transmitted through saliva?

Written by Sun Ming Yue
Medical Oncology
Updated on September 20, 2024
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Oral cancer, unlike some other cancers, cannot be transmitted to others through bacteria or pathogens via saliva or other means. Thus, oral cancer is not contagious. The cancer cells in oral cancer can only metastasize within the individual themselves, causing proliferation and spreading of the disease. Therefore, even if it leads to cancer in other parts of the body, it is not transmissible to others. Based on these symptoms, living or sharing meals with someone suffering from oral cancer does not pose a risk of contagion through saliva.

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Early symptoms of oral cancer

Oral cancer poses a significant threat to human health, and its early symptoms are not obvious. Many cases are mistakenly thought to be chronic non-healing oral ulcers, and in fact, the best treatment opportunity has already been missed once it is discovered. Early manifestations include the appearance of lumps and nodules in the mouth. The lumps appear as white, smooth patches, and red patches can emerge in the mouth, along with ulcers. The mouth may also repeatedly bleed. If there are unexplained, long-lasting ulcers that do not heal, and the individual is over 40 years old with the presence of cauliflower-like growths, then it is crucial to immediately seek hospital treatment. Early smear tests and pathological examinations should be conducted for prompt diagnosis and treatment to achieve good outcomes.

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How should cervical lymph node metastasis of oral cancer be treated?

Patients with lymph nodes, if they experience short-term lymph node enlargement. It could potentially be a symptom of metastatic cancer of the lymph nodes, typically manifested in cancers of the nose, pharynx, lung, and esophagus. If the condition is severe, it may cause pain. If the disease spreads to the ear, a comprehensive examination of the patient is still necessary to find the root of the disease. Once the patient's disease begins to metastasize, it indicates that the cancer has reached an advanced stage, and it is recommended that the patient undergo comprehensive treatment with radiotherapy and chemotherapy. If it is non-small cell lung cancer, targeted drug therapy is recommended, but it is generally advised to perform a targeted drug test in advance. If the mutation allows, it is permissible to take the medication; if there is no mutation, it is better not to use it.

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What are the early symptoms of oral cancer?

Clinically, oral cancer encompasses a wide range of conditions. Early symptoms in patients include the following aspects: many patients experience recurring, hard-to-heal ulcers on the tongue, some manifest ulcerative lesions on the lips, or small nodular lesions which generally do not show obvious symptoms initially. Some patients show symptoms of infection or pain, while others may experience recurring bleeding of the gums, loosening of the teeth, or discomfort in the throat during swallowing. The early symptoms in patients are not typical, leading many to not seek medical consultation early on. It is usually not until they experience severe difficulty in opening the mouth or swallowing, or when the patients have difficulty speaking, that they will seek medical attention.

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Can oral cancer be treated?

Oral cancer poses a significant threat to human life, and it is crucial to detect and treat it early for optimal outcomes. Individuals over the age of 40, especially those frequently experiencing oral ulcers, particularly with symptoms of bleeding and pain, or when there is a growth at the base of the ulcer, should immediately seek hospital examination for timely pathological diagnosis. Early detection followed by prompt surgery, and deciding whether further radiotherapy or chemotherapy is needed based on the severity of the condition, can achieve the best treatment results. Therefore, oral cancer is treatable and can be cured if detected early.

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Oral cancer is prone to metastasize to locations

If you have oral cancer, the most likely place for it to spread is the throat. The mouth is connected to the throat, and cancer cells in the mouth grow very quickly. These cancer cells also have a high tendency to spread. If left unchecked over time, there is a possibility that they will spread throughout the body. Moreover, since the mouth and throat are so close to each other, the throat is the most likely first place to be affected. If a patient discovers they have oral cancer, they should seek treatment as soon as possible to prevent the condition from spreading.