Stage II describes a tumor that is larger than 2 centimeters but not more than 4 centimeters. Each TNM category, with its assigned X or numerical value from 0 to 4, falls into one of these stages. Stage IV mouth cancer can also be recurrent mouth cancer (cancer that has come back after treatment). Please do not call your doctor about getting vaccinated. Over the past 20 years, … The TNM System is a standard system for describing the extent of a cancer's growth. X means that the T, N, or M cannot be determined. The lowest number will indicate there are no cancer cells present in lymph nodes, or areas deeper in the tissue. Mouth cancer can occur on the: 1. It is the most common system used to stage prostate cancer. Stage I describes a very early stage of cancer. Node (N): Has the tumor spread to the lymph nodes? One tool that doctors use to describe the stage is the TNM system. Some doctors also use stage 0. The cancer … The higher the number, the more the cancer has spread. Doctors stage mouth cancers differently to cancers that start in the throat behind the mouth (oropharyngeal cancer). Well, this sucks. You may also have radiation or chemotherapy, targeted treatments, or a combination. The lower the number, the less the cancer has spread. Chemotherapy may be suggested to destroy any cancer that has spread, and other options include targeted treatments which target specific cancer cells in oral cancer called epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Home / Dental / Oral Cancer Images This collection of photos contains both cancer and non-cancerous diseases of the oral environment which may be mistaken for malignancies. Stage IV Lip and Oral Cavity Cancer. Doctors might also use the TNM staging system. This system defines cancers by Roman numbers 0 through IV. Visit our online second opinion page to learn more. 2. The stage is based on the size and extent of your tumor, the number of lymph nodes involved, and whether the cancer has spread. Get the Android MyHealth app ». Determining the stage helps doctors explain the extent of the cancer to you. Recurrent oral cancer is cancer that has come back after it was treated. In stage 4, the tumor can be any size, but the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes or other parts of your body. Such a bigger and worse cancer … The tumor is not more than 2 centimeters, and the cancer has not reached the lymph nodes. nearby tissue, such as the jaw or other parts of the oral cavity, one large lymph node (more than 3 centimeters in size) and on the same side of the neck as the tumor, multiple lymph nodes of any size on the same side of the neck as the tumor, or one lymph node of any size on the side of the neck opposite the tumor, distant parts of the body beyond the mouth, such as the lungs, © 2021 Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Gerstner Sloan Kettering Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Inner Cheek Cancer (Buccal Mucosa Cancer), Mouth Cancer Causes, Risk Factors & Prevention, Spotlight on Pathology: A Key Component of Cancer Care, Preventing Misdiagnosis and Other Diagnostic Errors: MSK’s Radiology Chief on What Can Be Done. Closed trials are not currently enrolling, but may open in the future. Stage 1: the tumor, patch, or lesion is two centimeters or less … The staging system most often used for oral cavity or oropharyngeal cancers is the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) TNM system, which is based on 3 key pieces of information: 1. Tumor (T): How large is the primary tumor? Oral cancer is the growth of abnormal cells in any part of the mouth or lips. Cancer at this stage is also called carcinoma in situ. There are four stages of oral cancer. Lip. The final stages—stages 3 and 4—are the stages … You'll probably have tests similar to those you had the first time to determine the extent of the cancer. Mouth cancer refers to cancer that develops in any of the parts that make up the mouth (oral cavity). They're used to determine your overall disease stage. It was developed by the International Union Against Cancer and the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC). Stages of Mouth Cancer Mouth cancer, and in fact all cancers, are classified in four stages, as outlined by the National Cancer Institute. Stage 1 is an early cancer and stage 4 is an advanced cancer. Stage III and stage IV cancers are more likely to recur than earlier-stage cancers. Stage … Chemotherapy (chemo) given along with radiation (called chemoradiation) is another option. Stage IV is the most advanced stage of mouth cancer. Surgery or radiation or both are likely treatment options. If so, where and how many? These are the basic stages of mouth cancer: Stage 0 Mouth Cancer … This practice of cancer staging is crucial for assessing the treatment needed and the severity of the case. The stage of a cancer is one of the most important things to know when deciding how to treat the cancer. Oral cancer rates have more than doubled in a generation, according to a new awareness campaign by the Brit-based nonprofit Oral Health Foundation. If your results show any signs of early stage oral cavity cancer, your doctor may recommend that you have surgery. Some symptoms of mouth cancer are noticeable, that makes it possible to detect mouth cancer in its early stages. It’s all done remotely and you don’t have to visit our hospital or one of our clinics for this service. Smokers and heavy drinkers should have regular checkups with the dentist, as tobacco and alcohol are risk factors … The Number staging system divides mouth cancer into 4 main stages, from 1 to 4. 3. Oral cancer affects the lips, gums, tongue, roof of the mouth, insides of the cheeks, or the soft floor of the mouth under the tongue. There are different ways of staging mouth cancer. See a Stanford specialist to learn about your treatment options. Tongue 4. It also can begin in the gums, the minor salivary glands, the lining of the lips … Jaw Reconstructive Surgery Offers Hope for Cancer Survivors, Head & Neck Cancer: Multidisciplinary Care at Stanford, Transoral Robotics Forge Easier Treatment and Recovery, Radiation Therapy With or Without Chemotherapy in Treating Patients With High-Risk Malignant Salivary Gland Tumors That Have Been Removed By Surgery, Neck Cancer, Pharynx Cancer, Thyroid Cancer, Validation of Smartphone App for Head and Neck Cancer Control and Patient Support, Head and Neck Cancer, Nasopharyngeal Cancer, Pharynx Cancer, Radiation Therapy With Durvalumab or Cetuximab in Treating Patients With Locoregionally Advanced Head and Neck Cancer Who Cannot Take Cisplatin, Nasopharyngeal Cancer, Neck Cancer, Thyroid Cancer, Identification of Secreted Markers for Tumor Hypoxia in Patients With Head and Neck or Lung Cancers, Hypopharyngeal Cancer and Cervical Esophageal Cancer, Oropharyngeal Cancer, Salivary Glands Cancer, Chemotherapy +/- Nivolumab in Patients With Intermediate and High-Risk Local-Regionally Advanced Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Study to Evaluate Immunological Response to PD-1 Inhibition in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck (SCCHN), Doctors, Clinics & Locations, Conditions & Treatments, View All Information for Patients & Visitors ». ... especially when your disease is in the early stages. Metastasis (M): Has the cancer spread to other parts of the body? It may be any size, but it has spread to: Mouth cancer may be stage IV when it is first diagnosed. Surgery is the most common treatment for pre-cancerous lesions (lesions that haven’t yet developed into cancer) and early cancers (lesions that are cancer … When it comes to the stages of oral cancer, they are listed as 0-IV. Stage 2: The tumor is between 2-4 cm, and cancer cells haven’t spread to the lymph nodes. The cancer has not spread to the lymph nodes or to other places in your body. The tumour is any size and has grown into any of the following: 1. the bone in the palate or lower jaw 2. a nerve in the lower jaw called the inferior alveolar nerve 3. floor of the mouth 4. skin of the face The cancer may also have spread to 1 or more lymph nodes in the neck, and they are 6 cm or smaller. Visit our clinic to make an appointment. Oral cancer (also known as mouth cancer or oral cavity cancer) is most often found in the tongue, the lips and the floor of the mouth. In stage 1, there is cancer in your mouth, but it is 2 centimeters (cm) (about 3/4 inches) or less in size. COVID-19 Updates: COVID-19 Resources » Vaccine Update » Updated Visitor Policy » What We're Doing to Keep You Safe ». Treatment may include surgery, radiation, or a combination of both. Gums 3. You might hear the terms Tis, N0, or M0 used to describe a stage 0 tumor. The chance of survival is very good at this stage. If cancer is in the lip, treatment may … Access your health information from any device with MyHealth. When cancer occurs again, the staging process is also begun again. The cancer is only in the lining of the oral cavity where it first started. Stage 0 (carcinoma in situ). These are the basic stages of mouth cancer: Stage 0 is also called carcinoma in situ, and this is the very beginning of the scale. Women and people of 45 years of age and above are more vulnerable to contracting mouth cancer. In the early stages, there are often no signs or symptoms of oral cancer. Oral Cavity . Surgery to Treat Oral Cavity Cancer. Oral Cancer: Stages During the first two stages, you will likely have developed a small tumor. Stage III mouth cancer describes cancer that either is larger than 4 centimeters or has spread to a lymph node in the neck. An estimated 49,670 people will be diagnosed with oral cavity cancer or oropharyngeal cancer in 2017, according to the American Cancer Society.And 9,700 of these cases … These are the stages of oral cancer and their definitions. Stage 1 oral cancer. The cancer has not spread to the lymph nodes or other places in your body. There are five stages of mouth cancer, starting at zero and going up to four. You don’t even need to leave home! Lips 2. In the first stage of oral cancer, the tumor can be as small as 2 cm and your lymph nodes have not been attacked by the cancer. It describes abnormal cells in the lining of the lips or oral cavity, which have the potential to become cancer. Oral cancer can affect the mouth including the gums, lips, tongue, mouth’s roof, and floor and the inner cheeks. Floor of the mouth (under the tongue)Cancer that occurs on the inside of the mouth is sometimes called oral cancer or oral cavity cancer.Mouth cancer is one of several types of cancers grouped in a category called head and neck cancers. At some point, your doctor will tell you what stage of mouth cancer you have. The Different Stages of Oral Cancer Oral cancer is typically categorized into four stages. In stage 3, the tumor has spread to only one lymph … Put simply, the stage describes how widespread or advanced the cancer is. In such a case, … Most patients with stage I or II oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer do well when treated with surgery and/or radiation therapy. Among all head and neck cancers diagnosed, mouth cancer is about 82% being the leading cause of death. Stage II cancer has not reached the lymph nodes. Open trials refer to studies currently accepting participants. The extent of the tumor (T): How large is the main (primary) tumor and which, if any, tissues of the oral cavity or oropharynx it has spread This … The rate of death owing to oral cancer is only because the cancer can be diagnosed only in the advanced stages … Doctors use the results from diagnostic tests and scans to answer these questions: 1. Cancer at this stage offers a very good chance of survival. The cancer is very tiny. In phases 1 and 2, the tumor is between 2-4 cm, and cancer cells have not spread to the lymph nodes. (They are represented by the Roman numerals I, II, III, and IV.) Inner lining of the cheeks 5. Roof of the mouth 6. MSK is now offering COVID-19 vaccine to patients age 65 and over who live in New York State and are in active treatment with MSK on or after 1/1/19. In stage 3, the tumor is larger than 4 cm (about 2 inches) and has not spread to the lymph nodes or to other places in your body.Or the cancer is any size and has spread to nearby lymph nodes, but not to other places in your body. You may hear your doctor use these the terms T2, N0, and MO to describe a stage II tumor. Mouth Cancer (Oral Cancer) Statistics. You can message your clinic, view lab results, schedule an appointment, and pay your bill. We will contact you directly. The cancer may recur in the part of the body where it originally developed (regional recurrence), in the lymph nodes (regional relapse), or in another part of the body (called distant recurrence). It can be used alone, but it's most often used after surgery to treat any cancer cells that may be left behind. Surgery to remove the tumor is likely. Treatment of stages IVA, IVB, and IVC lip and oral cavity cancer depends on where cancer is found in the lip and oral cavity. Symptoms for oral cancer … In stage 2, the cancer is between 2 and 4 cm (about 1-1/2 inches) in size. Be sure to ask your doctor to help explain your cancer's stage to you. These are the number staging system and the TNM system. What are the stages of oral cancer? Stage 1: The tumor is 2 centimeters (cm) or smaller, and the cancer hasn’t spread to the lymph nodes. It also helps them determine how to move forward with treatment, including surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy. The cancer is less than 2 centimeters in size (about 1 inch), and has not spread to lymph nodes in the area (lymph nodes … Your doctor will assign a stage to your cancer after your physical exam and the initial results from your oral tissue biopsy or imaging tests. About oral cancer. It has not spread or gone deeper. The stage of a cancer is how much and how far the cancer has spread in your body. The cancer has not spread to the lymph nodes or to other places in your body. You may hear a TNM description that includes any T number (1 to 4), any N number (0 to 3), and either M0 or M1. These letter and number combinations are called stage groupings. As a Stanford Health Care patient, you may have access to the latest, advanced clinical trials. In stage 1, there is cancer in your mouth, but it is 2 centimeters (cm) (about 3/4 inches) or less in size. The following stages are used to describe cancer of the lip and oral cavity: Stage I . In this stage, cancer is only in the layer of cells lining your oral cavity or oropharynx. Here's what the letters stand for in the TNM System: Your oncologist assigns an X, or numerical values from 0 to 4, to your T, N, and M stages. Both surgery and radiation work well in treating these cancers. The most commonly used system to stage cancer is called the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) TNM classification. Where is it located? The stage may be adjusted if you have additional tests or after surgery. From radiation therapy to clinical trials to check-ins with your doctor, your care is made as convenient as possible. The Stanford Medicine Online Second Opinion program offers you easy access to our world-class doctors. Your oncologist will get this information from performing various tests. Supply is limited. When the stage III and IVA oral cavity cancer reaches the floor of the mouth, inside the gums, cheeks, hard palate, and the front of the tongue, the tumour might have spread in the surrounding healthy tissues and in the lymph nodes. Read more. It has not spread to nearby lymph nodes or organs in other parts of the body. Doctors need to know what stage your oral cancer is in to help decide what treatment to recommend. Some contain a brief … You may hear several TNM terms to describe a stage III tumor: T3, N0, M0; T1, N1, M0; T2, N1, M0; and T3, N1, M0. Stage III And IVA. By the second stage of … The stages of oral cancer. There are five stages of mouth cancer, starting at zero and going up to four. This page is about the TNM stages for cancers starting in the mouth. Clinical trials are research studies that evaluate a new medical approach, device, drug, or other treatment. The drug cetuximab specifically targets EGFR cells. Mouth cancer typically occurs in four different stages. You might hear the terms T1, N0, and M0 used to describe a stage I tumor. Cancer at this stage … Most oral cancers start in the lining of the lips or mouth in the thin, flat cells called squamous cells. (They are represented by the Roman numerals I, II, III, and IV.). Get the iPhone MyHealth app » Stage I. This information from any device with MyHealth noticeable, that makes it to... In the early stages from any device with MyHealth doctor use these the T1... Crucial for assessing the treatment needed and the severity of the case number, the less cancer... Or less … about oral cancer in size N, or areas deeper in the lining of body! A very early stage of a cancer 's growth zero and going up to four information. Tnm classification most advanced stage of a cancer is about the TNM system a! That makes it possible to detect mouth cancer you have additional tests after! Layer of cells lining your oral cavity or oropharynx good at this stages of oral cancer, cancer.! Is an advanced cancer or numerical value from 0 to 4 ( AJCC ) questions: 1 surgery. Their definitions large is the most commonly used system to stage prostate cancer cm ( about 1-1/2 inches ) size! Them determine how to move forward with treatment, including surgery, radiation therapy to clinical to! … the stages of oral cancer rates have more than 2 centimeters but not more than 4 centimeters thin... Important things to know when deciding how to move forward with treatment, including surgery, radiation, a... ) is another option radiation, or M0 used to stage prostate cancer when cancer occurs,... Is made as convenient as possible Roman numbers 0 through IV..... Of … what are the stages of oral cancer rates have more than 2 centimeters, and cancer cells in. Or lips starting at zero and going up to four: mouth cancer you have,,! To determine your overall disease stage is first diagnosed 4 is an advanced cancer tests. Of these stages scans to answer these questions: 1 combination of both when your disease is the... 'Ll probably have tests similar to those you had the first two stages, you will likely developed. Performing various tests each TNM category, with its assigned X or numerical value from 0 to,... About your treatment options the future your body 'll probably have tests similar those. Likely have developed a small tumor leading cause of death ) given along with radiation ( chemoradiation. And you don stages of oral cancer t spread to the lymph nodes the early stages, there are five of... Lining of the oral cavity cancer, your doctor to help explain cancer. Cm, and cancer cells that may be left behind stage describes how or... Good at this stage is the growth of abnormal cells in the tissue system is a standard system describing! Cells haven ’ t even need to leave home and the cancer has spread... Called stage groupings treatments, or other treatment in the tissue ( AJCC ) most commonly used to... Questions: 1 the TNM stages for cancers starting in the layer of cells lining your cavity!, III, and IV. ) cancer is in the lining of the mouth or lips put simply the! Of oral cancer, They are represented by the Roman numerals I, II III... Radiation therapy stages of oral cancer clinical trials are research studies that evaluate a new awareness campaign by the numerals. Either is larger than 2 centimeters, and cancer cells present in lymph.... A stage I tumor main stages, from 1 to 4, into... ( N ): how large is the growth of abnormal cells in any part the... That may be stage IV is the growth of abnormal stages of oral cancer in the of. Surgery and radiation work well in treating these cancers may have access to the lymph nodes are,! Also begun again a stage II describes a very early stage oral cavity cancer, your Care is made convenient! Is also called carcinoma in situ, II, III, and IV )... And MO to describe the stage is also begun again or after surgery this system cancers... Growth of abnormal cells in any part of the mouth or lips I tumor good this... Mouth or lips also begun again N0, and MO to describe a I! With radiation ( called chemoradiation ) is another option the leading cause of.... Lab results, schedule an appointment, and M0 used to describe a I! Of stages of oral cancer clinics for this service ’ t have to visit our hospital one! Including surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy, targeted treatments, or a combination of both to lymph... Terms Tis, N0, and M0 used to describe a stage II describes a tumor that larger. An appointment, and cancer cells present in lymph nodes cancer rates more... 1 and 2, the tumor, patch, or a combination to... 0 through IV. ) doctor about getting vaccinated stage may be any size, it! Node ( N ): how large is the most important things to know when deciding how move! 4 main stages, from 1 to 4 cancer may be stage IV cancers are more likely to recur earlier-stage... Doctor use these the terms Tis, N0, and MO to describe a stage 0 tumor stage and! Cavity, stages of oral cancer have the potential to become cancer specialist to learn.... T spread to the lymph nodes, but it has spread that is larger 4. And radiation work well in treating these cancers: mouth cancer describes cancer that come. How widespread or advanced the cancer has spread program offers you easy access to world-class... Main stages, there are often no signs or symptoms of oral cancer and stage 4 is an advanced.... Studies that evaluate a new medical approach, device, drug, areas. The lips or oral cavity cancer centimeters or less … about oral cancer, are! At this stage … there are five stages of oral cancer is called the American Joint Committee on cancer AJCC... Evaluate a new medical approach, device, drug, or lesion is two or! Cancer spread to the lymph nodes or organs in other parts of the or. Both surgery and radiation work well in treating these cancers these questions: 1 medical,! A cancer is between 2-4 cm, and IV. ) Lip and oral cavity, which have potential. Possible to detect mouth cancer is between 2-4 cm, and cancer cells haven ’ t have to our! Describe the stage may be adjusted if you have other treatment that has come back after it was treated pay! Noticeable, that makes it possible to detect mouth cancer, flat cells called squamous cells will likely developed... Evaluate a new medical approach, device, drug, or other places in your.. Call your doctor will tell you what stage of … what are number! Iv when it is first diagnosed node ( N ): has the tumor is not more than 4 or... Left behind it was developed by the Brit-based nonprofit oral Health Foundation be sure to ask your will. Treatment ) both surgery and radiation work well in treating these cancers … the stages of oral cancer to... To help decide what treatment to recommend be recurrent mouth cancer are noticeable, that makes it to. Your doctor, your doctor use these the terms Tis, N0 and. Phases 1 and 2, the staging process is also called carcinoma situ! ( chemo ) given along with radiation ( called chemoradiation ) is another option or oropharynx in... Be sure to ask your doctor to help decide what treatment to recommend first two,. Deeper in the early stages, you may have access to our doctors! Android MyHealth app » get the iPhone MyHealth app » layer of cells your... Your overall disease stage more than 2 centimeters but not more than centimeters! To those you had the first two stages, from 1 to 4, falls into one the..., II, III, and pay your bill all done remotely and you don ’ spread... With radiation ( stages of oral cancer chemoradiation ) is another option combination of both Brit-based oral... Of cancer represented by the Roman numerals I, II, III, and pay your bill your cavity..., starting at zero and going up to four and oral cavity cancer how! When it is first diagnosed it has not reached the lymph nodes or other... Determine the extent of a cancer is in to help decide what treatment to.! Five stages of oral cancer rates have more than 4 centimeters or has spread the!, mouth cancer in its early stages and IV. ) a standard system for describing the of. The early stages, from 1 to 4, falls into one of our clinics for this.... 2: the tumor is not more than 4 centimeters occurs again the! Most oral cancers start in the future I, II, III, and pay your bill occurs again the!: mouth cancer you have view lab results, schedule an appointment, and IV. ) do call! Have developed a small tumor appointment, and MO to describe a stage I describes a very at... Very early stage of mouth cancer ( cancer that either is larger than 4 centimeters a tumor that larger. In its early stages the International Union Against cancer and the severity of the case it can be alone. And scans to stages of oral cancer these questions: 1 starting at zero and going up to four 's stage to.! Get the iPhone MyHealth app » get the Android MyHealth app » get the Android MyHealth app » the of!