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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.

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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.


Christine
SCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44
2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07
-65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr
Clear PET 1/08
4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I
surg 4/16/08 clr marg
215 HBO dives
3/09 teeth out, trismus
7/2/09 recur, Stg IV
8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy
3wks medicly inducd coma
2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit
PICC line IV antibx 8 mo
10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg
OC 3x in 3 years
very happy to be alive smile
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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.


Husband diagnosed 2/13 lower lip scc in situ 2 surgeries never scanned. 8 months later diagnosed soft palate scc stage 4A, tonsil and nodes involved. Hpv positive. Told by ENT small t1 tumor brought in to surgery for tumor removal and neck disection. Aborded surgery. Stage 4!! Finished rads and chemo Jan 2014. Grade 4 ORN of the maxilla, 30 HBOT , sinus surgery , maxilla surgery, buccal flap 4/2015. Doing good. 9-2015 red patch on soft palate , waiting to see.
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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.


DMB
SCC of right maxilla & nasal cavity, stage 4a, 3/10/2016
42 proton treatment completed 9/1/2016
Chemo - carbo, taxo, &Erbitux completed 09/27/17
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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


Caregiver/advocate to Husband Kris age 59@ diagnosis
DX Dec '10 SCC BOT T4aN2bM0 HPV+ve.Cisplatin x3 35 IMRT.
PET 6/11 clear.
R) level 2-4 neck dissection 8/1/11 to remove residual node - necrotic with NED
Feb '12 Ca back.. 3/8/12 total glossectomy/laryngectomy/bilat neck dissection/partial pharyngectomy etc. clear margins. All nodes negative for disease. PEG in.
March 2017 - 5 years disease free. Woohoo!
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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.


Don
Male, 57 - Great health except C
Dec '12
DX: BOT SCC T2N2bMx, Stage 4a, HPV+, multiple nodes
1 tooth out
Jan '13
2nd tooth out
Tumor Board -induction TPF (3 cycles), seq CRT
4-6/2013
CRT 70gr 2x35, weekly carbo150
ended 5/29,6/4
All the details, join at http://beatdown.cognacom.com
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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.


Gloria
She stood in the storm, and when the wind did not blow her way, she adjusted her sails... Elizabeth Edwards

Wife to John,dx 10/2012, BOT, HPV+, T3N2MO, RAD 70 gy,Cisplatinx2 , PEG in Dec 6, 2012, dx dvt in both legs after second chemo session, Apr 03/13 NED, July 2013 met to lungs, Phase 1 immunotherapy trial Jan 18/14 to July/14. Taxol/carboplatin July/14. Esophagus re-opened Oct 14. PEG out April 8, 2015. Phase 2 trial of Selinexor April to July 2015. At peace Jan 15, 2016.
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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".


Christine
SCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44
2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07
-65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr
Clear PET 1/08
4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I
surg 4/16/08 clr marg
215 HBO dives
3/09 teeth out, trismus
7/2/09 recur, Stg IV
8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy
3wks medicly inducd coma
2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit
PICC line IV antibx 8 mo
10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg
OC 3x in 3 years
very happy to be alive smile
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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.


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