Mouth cancer

Cancer of the mouth is the largest category of head and neck cancers and occurs in men more than women. Most patients are over age 50 years, but more than 10% of cases are diagnosed in younger individuals. In fact, there has been a significant increase in the number of cases among patients younger than age 45 years in the past 20 years. The two main factors associated with cancer in the mouth are tobacco and alcohol, but some cancers, particularly those found in the back of the mouth, are associated with exposure to human papillomavirus (HPV). Patients treated for mouth cancer are experiencing increasing quality of life, but survival rates have not improved much. Stage at which the diagnosis is made significantly affects overall survival. Cases identified at stage 1 are associated with a nearly 90% 2-year survival. Cases found at stages III and IV have much lower survivals, with stage IV 2-year survival about 45%. Among those who survive, treatment-related morbidity is high. Delays in diagnosis and referral are associated not just with finding cancer in more advanced stages but also with up to a three-fold increase in mortality.
Source: Dental Abstracts - Category: Dentistry Tags: Oral Cancer Source Type: research