Does anyone know where I can research the approximate time it takes for oral squamous cell carcinoma that started as a small hard mass (like a callous)on the inside of my lower gum that progressed over time to a small hole in my gum then into stage 4 cancer? They had to remove my lower jaw,one third of my tongue and my lymphoid s on the right side of my neck.They were removed as a precaution. The cancer never spread to them.I want to emphasize the importance of seeing ENT (Ear,Nose & Throat) or an Oral surgeon if you have a sore in your mouth that doesn't heal within a two week period.Insist on a biopsy to rule out cancer.

Im sorry but there are so many variables that go into how fast a tumor would advance that I dont know if its possible to know how long something has been there. Im not aware of any website or medical journal that would have this type of info. I would suggest asking your doctor if they know the rate of growth for a SCC tumor.

George, I'm sorry about what you went thru Sounds very heartbreaking. I have wondered the same thing as the caregiver to my husband. He had a nasty sore on his lower lip. He ignored it for a few months. He went to get it looked at by a plastic surgeon. Diagnosed SCC Insitu. No scans Removed with lip surgery. Told not to worry cancer all gone. 8 months later diagnosed stage 4 throat cancer. I want to know if that throat cancer was there when the Dr ignored my request for a CT scan 8 months earlier. Why didn't we get a second opinion on the lip. I get so mad when I look back. I have looked on the Internet and never can find out how long it takes to develope cancer. Having a hard time moving on. I want to write that Dr. A letter and tell him the protocols should b changed. He was arrogant and quite shocked when I called him and told him about my husbands stage 4 cancer. If you find information please share. I would be really interested.

George, I've just received my diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma last month. I've been doing a lot of research and found looking for statistics I want to know what they are before deciding what, if anything, I'm going to do. The article, Advances in the management of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4047945/

The intro repeats the standard survival statistic of 40-60% at five years. The conclusion indicates that 40=60%of patients with advanced SCCHN will relapse. If you've already gone through radiation & chemo, they generally aren't many options left if it does return.

Another new paper that is full of statistics is Outcomes of Sinonasal Cancer Treated With Proton Therapy.

Hope this helps.

Dmbart,
First, I am sorry you have need to join us here.
Second, ignore statistics. They apply to a large cohort of patients. Not You.
I learnt this early on in our treatment path. Of course, too, much has changed with the advent of HPV positive tumours. These tumours respond better to radiation and chemo, but are lumped into the general statistics with those with HPV negative tumours. We don't all fit into the same pathway.
My husband was HPV positive. He did have a recurrence post rads and chemo.
He then underwent "salvage" surgery. He is alive and well more than 4 years later. So, please don't make your decision based on statistics. Get another opinion from a CCC and a tumour Board.
I wish you well,
Tammy

hold on.
Repeating the last comment. Do ignore the stats. The more you learn the more you will find out that your situation is very specific once tallied up. Only then can very experienced oncologists even venture to offer a prognosis that has any meaning.

Ditto what Tammy and Donfoo said. My husband was given six months to a year initially; he lived for three and a half years. The doctors could only tell how fast the cancer was progressing by comparing the CT scans over time. Even when they give a prognosis, it's at the 50th percentile they are talking about. It could go either way.

DMB... The link you posted is for old information. It was published almost 2 years ago. There have been recent advances which could make the info completely obsolete.

OCF has its own newsfeed that is free to sign up for. The newsfeed will give you all the latest oral cancer advances and articles sent directly to your email. You can also go to the main OCF pages and read thru articles too.

Im elaborating on the private message, always watch the dates prior to posting. Things can change quickly around here and sometimes after only a couple weeks the entire thread has already run its course and is "old".

Head neck squamous cell carcinoma is a life threatening disease if not treated. If you found any lump or ulcer or any abnormal thing in your neck or jaw or in your head and neck are and is not healing in 2 weeks. Than please consult an oncologist for further investigation .he than suggest you a biopsy or fnac.this confirms you is this cancer or not. If reports confirms that this is cancer than further treatment gives you surgery radiation and chemotherapy.