Oral Cancer Overview Download a PDF version of this information here.

What is oral cancer?

Oral cancer is a broad term that includes cancers of the lips, tongue, mouth and throat. In general, it is an abnormal growth of cells in any one of these sites and has the potential to spread to other areas of the body. 

How common is oral cancer?

According to the American Cancer Society, oral cancer affects more than 35,000 people in the U.S. each year.³

What is the survival rate of oral cancer?

Although other cancers present more frequently than oral cancer, the survival rate for this disease is discouraging; it causes 7,500 deaths each year and only slightly more than half of oral cancer patients survive five years.³

What are the treatment options for oral cancer?

Early detection can significantly minimize the amount of treatment needed. Treatment for early-stage oral cancer usually involves surgical resection of the diseased tissue. If the cancerous tissue is large, surgery to remove the diseased tissue may involve removing a large portion of the tongue, lower jaw or throat. When the disease metastasizes, or spreads, to other areas of the body, chemotherapy and/or radiation are required in addition to surgical removal of the diseased tissue.