Oral Cancer

See a step-by-step video explaining what happens during an oral cancer examination.

What is Oral Cancer?

Approximately 35,000 Americans are diagnosed each year with this largely preventable type of cancer that affects the mouth and/or part of the throat. Most oral cancers are related to tobacco use, alcohol use, or both. You can help reduce your risk for oral cancer by avoiding all tobacco products and drinking alcohol only in moderation.

Early Detection

Because oral cancer can spread quickly, early detection is important. An oral cancer exam can identify early signs of this disease. The exam is quick and painless, and can be done during your regular dental check-up. Be sure to tell your dentist if you notice persistent changes in your mouth or throat, such as sores, swelling, or numbness, or if you have difficulty eating or swallowing.

To learn more about oral cancer and its warning signs and symptoms, please see:

Publications

For Health Professionals

• Detecting Oral Cancer: A Guide for Health Care Professionals
  A step-by-step, illustrated guide for health professionals that provides instruction on examining the mouth for signs of oral cancer.
  

For Patients and the Public

• Oral Cancer
  Pamphlet that describes the risk factors, signs and symptoms of oral cancer, and the importance of detecting the disease in its early stages.
• The Oral Cancer Exam
  Step-by-step description of the oral cancer examination so patients know what to expect. 
• What You Need to Know About Oral Cancer
  For people who have been diagnosed with oral cancer, this brochure includes information on symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of oral cancer, along with definitions of selected medical terms and resource information.
• Oral Cancer
  A fact sheet that describes current and future efforts to improve detection and treatment of oral cancers.
  

NIDCR's "Oral Cancer: What African American Men Need to Know" Campaign 

• Oral Cancer: What African American Men Need to Know
  Snapshot of NIDCR's campaign to raise African American men's awareness of their risk for oral cancer and the importance of early detection.  
• Are You At Risk for Oral Cancer? What African American Men Need to Know (Booklet)
  Part of the “Oral Cancer: What African American Men Need to Know” series, this booklet is aimed at raising awareness among African American men about their risk for oral cancer and the importance of detecting the disease early.
• The Oral Cancer Exam: What African American Men Need to Know
  A companion to “Are You At Risk for Oral Cancer? What African American Men Need to Know,” this card describes the steps of an oral cancer examination.
• Oral Cancer: What African American Men Need to Know (Poster)
  This 8.5x11 poster is designed to raise African American men’s awareness of their risk for oral cancer and the importance of early detection. Part of the “Oral Cancer: What African American Men Need to Know” series.
• Oral Cancer: Causes and Symptoms & The Oral Cancer Exam
  Part of the “Oral Cancer: What African American Men Need to Know” series, this fact sheet highlights oral cancer’s risk factors and signs and symptoms, and the importance of the oral cancer exam. Also includes a list of additional reading.

Clinical Trials

• Oral Cancer
  

News Releases and Articles

• Novel Therapeutic Strategy for Head and Neck Cancer (July 2010)
• A Case for Tailored Care (November 2009)
• Immune Peptide Shows Potential to Help Diagnose Oral Cancer (September 2009)
• Scientists Discover Another RNA in Saliva (September 2009)
• TP53 and the Prognosis of Head and Neck Cancer (January 2008)
• A Closer Look at Developing a Lab on a Chip for Oral Cancer (August 2007) 
• Possible Association of Chronic Periodontitis and Tongue Cancer Reported (May 2007) 
• NIDCR Scientists Identify Enzyme Involved in Tumor Angiogenesis (January 2007) 
• Oral Cancer Visualization Tool Fares Well Clinically (December 2006)
• Proof of Principle Gene Signature Reported for Head and Neck Cancer (December 2006)
• A 25-Gene Array Proves Promising in Detection of Oral Cancer (December 2006)
• Study Shows DNA Methylation Involved in Common Head and Neck Cancer (July 2006)
• Study Links Alcohol Consumption to Premalignant Oral Lesions (April 2006)
• Study Explores Salivary Mitochondrial DNA Levels and Cancer (March 2006)
• Signaling Pathway Defined in Common Head and Neck Cancer (February 2006)
• Researchers Making Headway with Headpin (January 2006)
• New Analytical Tool Applied for First Time to Oral Cancer (September 2005)
• Toluidine Blue Staining Identifies High-Risk Premalignant Oral Lesions (September 2005)
• New Lead Reported in Tumor Angiogenesis (July 2005)
• Chemo Drug Shows Preclinical Promise Against Head and Neck Cancer (May 2005)
• Looking to the Future: Systems Biology (March 2005)
• Researchers Report Early Success Using Saliva to Detect Oral Cancer (December 2004)
• Scientists Identify Candidate Genes in Tumor Regression (May 2004)

Statistics

• Oral Cancer Statistics
  Latest statistics on oral cancer incidence, prevalence, and 5-year survival rates

Other Government Information

• Head and Neck Cancer: Questions and Answers
  The National Cancer Institute fact sheet answers questions about cancers of the mouth (oral cavity), salivary glands, sinuses, throat (pharynx), voice box (larynx), and lymph nodes in the upper neck.
• Oral Cancer Home Page
  The National Cancer Institute's gateway for information about oral cancer.  
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Oral Cancer page
  Information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, including a fact sheet on oral cancer.    
• MedlinePlus: Oral Cancer
  The National Library of Medicine's compilation of links to government, professional and non-profit/voluntary organizations with information on oral cancer.
• Promoting Oral Health: Interventions for Preventing Dental Caries, Oral and Pharyngeal Cancers, and Sports-Related Craniofacial Injuries
  This November 2001 report from the Task Force on Community Preventive Services presents the results of systematic reviews of the evidence of effectiveness of selected population-based interventions and presents recommendations for future interventions and intervention research.

Related Oral Health Topics

• Smokeless Tobacco

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