Oral Cancer Facts
New cases: 36,540 (oral cavity and pharynx)
Deaths: 7,880 (oral cavity and pharynx)
Each year in the United States, more than 21,000 men and 9,000 women are diagnosed with oral cancer. Most are over 60 years old.
| Race/Ethnicity | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| All Races | 15.7 per 100,000 men | 6.2 per 100,000 women |
| White | 16.1 per 100,000 men | 6.2 per 100,000 women |
| Black | 15.6 per 100,000 men | 5.6 per 100,000 women |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 10.9 per 100,000 men | 5.3 per 100,000 women |
| American Indian/Alaska Native a | 9.1 per 100,000 men | 5.1 per 100,000 women |
| Hispanic b | 8.2 per 100,000 men | 3.4 per 100,000 women |
Male/Female ratio of oral cancer is 2:1
Tobacco use represents the single greatest preventable risk factor for oral cancer.
The use of alcohol with tobacco magnifies the chances for oral cancer.
Oral cancer lesions start as painless ulcers, white or red patches in the mouth.
Other factors associated with oral cancer are excessive exposure to UV radiation from the sun (lip cancer), viruses, and fungi as well as diet low in fruit and vegetables
Oral cancer can lead to loss of speech, and ability to chew or swallow.
Patients with oral cancer often have multiple primary lesions, and have up to 20 fold increased risk of having recurrent oral cancer.
Patients with primary tumors of the oral cavity and pharynx are more likely to develop cancer of the esophagus, larynx, lung and stomach.
Approximately 72% of people with oral and pharyngeal cancer have or are smokers.
Cancer will occur in one out of every three Americans during their lifetime.
Seer stat fact sheets: oral cavity and pharynx. (2011). Retrieved from http://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/oralcav.html
