Dentistry and Dental Medicine

Oral Oncology

Oral cancer is cancer that develops in the mouth or throat tissues. Almost all cancers of the mouth occur in squamous cells, the type of cells that line the mouth, tongue, and lips. These are called squamous cell carcinomas (cancers). Not all tumors in the mouth are cancer. Some are benign and some are precancerous, meaning they may become cancer. Oral cancers are most often discovered after they have spread to the lymph nodes of the neck. Early detection is important for oral cancer survival. Tobacco use is one of the biggest risk factors for oral cancer. This includes smoking cigarettes, cigars, and pipes, as well as chewing tobacco. The survival rate after one year for all stages of oral cancer is 81%. After five years, the survival rate is 56%, and after 10 years it’s 41%. The removal of tumors of large size could possibly affect your abilities associated with jaw and mouth such as chewing, swallowing, or talking.