How Oral Cancer Spreads

Click to Enlarge: How tumors spread from being in situ to metastatic.

Oral cancer acts differently in each person. The way a cancer grows is called its pathophysiology. Cancer has different phases of development. The stage of your cancer is the terminology doctors use to describe the size of the tumor and whether it has spread. Knowing the stage of the cancer helps your healthcare team determine the best treatments for you.

The first place cancer is found in the body is called the primary site or primary tumor. Oral cancer, like all cancers, can spread to other parts of the body. This is called metastatic cancer or metastasis. When a cancer spreads, it is said to have metastasized.

The first place oral cancer usually spreads to is the lymph nodes in the neck or to nearby bone or muscle. In its later stages, it may spread further, such as to your lungs.