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Oral Cavity Cancer: Professional Version

Epidemiology

The National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program provides a rich source of data on cancer incidence and management in the United States. The following data describing oral cavity cancer derive from SEER.

Incidence and trends. The population incidence of oral cavity cancer during years 2000-2010 was 4.3 cases per 100,000 per year. There has been a clear trend toward lower incidence over the past 30 years, with incidence at 7.4 per 100,000 in 1973 decreased to 4.2 per 100,000 in 2010. [Figure 1]

Figure 1

figure1

To put the incidence of oral cancer in context, compare the 2010 incidence with those of more common cancers of the lung, colon, breast, and melanoma. [Figure 2]

Figure 2

figure2

 Age and sex distribution. Oral cavity cancer is more common among men than women, with population incidences of 5.8 per 100,000 men and 3.0 per 100,000 women. Of over 75,000 oral cancers registered in SEER, 36% occurred in women. Incidence rates also vary by age group, with the peak incidence at 60-69 years. [Figure 3]

Figure 3

figure3

Histology. The vast majority of oral cancers are squamous cell carcinomas which arise from the mucosal surfaces of the oral cavity. As described above, there are minor salivary glands dispersed throughout the surfaces of the oral cavity, as well as teeth, muscle, connective tissue, nerve tissue, etc., any of which could be the origin of a malignant neoplasm. Data from SEER indicate that 88% of oral cavity cancers are squamous cell carcinomas. Salivary gland cancers comprise 6% of the total, and other cancers, including sarcomas, melanomas, and lymphoid neoplasms, make up the remaining 6%. The figure shows distribution of histologic types. [Figure 4]


 

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News and Announcements

  • AHNS YMCP Episode 11 – Melina Windon, MD, Janice Farlow, MD, Eric Gantwerker, MD May 8, 2025
  • Artificial Intelligence in Management of H&N Cancer: New Horizons Presented April 28, 2025
  • A conversation with Dr. Uppaluri: Neoadjuvant Therapy for Advanced H&N Mucosal April 25, 2025
  • The End of April Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month Approaches! April 23, 2025
  • April is National CBD Awareness Month! April 21, 2025

AHNS Meetings and Events

AHNS 2025 Annual Meeting
Held during the Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meetings (COSM)

May 14-18, 2025
Hyatt Regency New Orleans
New Orleans, Louisiana

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