Can oral cancer be transmitted through saliva?

Written by Sun Ming Yue

Medical Oncology

Updated on September 20, 2024

00:00

00:00

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.

Other Voices

home-news-image

Written by Yan Chun

Oncology

52sec

home-news-image

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.

home-news-image

Written by Li Cui

Dentistry

59sec

home-news-image

Does frequent oral ulcers easily lead to oral cancer?

Patients who frequently suffer from oral ulcers generally do not easily get them. Patients should not worry too much. Pay attention to oral hygiene in daily life. If the occurrence of oral ulcers is occasional, and not frequently appearing singly, it is recommended that patients can undergo localized treatment for oral ulcers. They can use oral ulcer patches, which are applied to the ulcerated area in the mouth and can help heal the ulcers. Additionally, it is suggested that patients should definitely pay attention to oral hygiene. They can appropriately use oral sprays, and it is important to rinse the mouth promptly after meals. Avoid eating spicy, irritating foods, and overly hot foods. Relax and if oral ulcers repeatedly occur severely, it is recommended that patients seek medical attention promptly.

home-news-image

Written by Cui Fang Bo

Oncology

48sec

home-news-image

Can oral cancer be cured?

Once oral cancer is diagnosed, it is confirmed as malignant, and only a certain proportion of patients with early-stage disease can be cured. After the diagnosis of oral cancer, surgery is the preferred treatment option. It involves the removal of the clearly defined tumor within the mouth, and if necessary, dissection of the lymph nodes in the neck. After radical resection, adjunctive radiotherapy and chemotherapy are commonly used to improve disease control. Some early-stage patients can be cured after undergoing the above treatments. However, when oral cancer progresses to a certain extent, even after radical surgery and postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy, the risk of recurrence and metastasis remains high, making it incurable.

home-news-image

Written by Sun Ming Yue

Medical Oncology

1min 6sec

home-news-image

Will oral cancer cause facial swelling?

If one develops oral cancer, various swelling phenomena can occur in the tissues inside the mouth. Due to the swelling, it naturally causes the face to become swollen as well, directly affecting the condition of facial swelling during this process. As the degree of oral cancer varies from patient to patient, the severity of various swelling and pain phenomena in the oral tissues also differs, resulting in different facial conditions for each patient. If oral cancer is contracted and not treated and controlled in a timely manner, it can easily lead to swelling and pain in the oral tissues, ultimately causing facial deformity. From the above, it is evident that oral cancer can cause various swelling phenomena in the oral tissues, and due to the swelling and pain, it eventually leads to facial swelling, having a significant impact on the patient's appearance.

home-news-image

Written by Sun Ming Yue

Medical Oncology

37sec

home-news-image

How to stop bleeding from oral cancer?

The symptoms of oral cancer generally include localized ulcers, accompanied by pain, bleeding, and local infection. The tumor itself can cause bleeding symptoms, such as in ulcerative oral cancer, where the ulcer may gradually enlarge and easily cause bleeding during eating. It is recommended that patients undergo localized radiotherapy treatment, primarily aimed at stopping bleeding. Cancer treatment can also be conducted simultaneously, resisting tumor growth, and also helping to stop the bleeding.