The incidence of oral cancer increases with age. The increase becomes more rapid after age 50, particularly for adults aged 65 years and older.
Age: The average age at diagnosis for oral cancer is 63, and more than two-thirds of individuals with this disease are over age 55, although it may occur in younger people, as well.
That's pretty amazing. Myth #3: I'm too young to get oral cancer. Fact: Cancer tends to develop in older people, so it's unusual to see oral cancers in someone younger than age 40.
Oral cavity cancer in children is very rare. More than 90% of tumors in the mouths of children are benign. When oral cavity cancer occurs, the most common types are lymphoma and sarcoma. Squamous cell carcinoma (cancer that forms in the thin, flat cells lining the inside of the mouth) is rare in children.
Mouth cancer, also known as oral cancer or cancer of the oral cavity, is often used to describe a number of cancers that start in the region of the mouth. These most commonly occur on the lips, tongue and floor of the mouth but can also start in the cheeks, gums, roof of the mouth, tonsils and salivary glands.
According to the American Cancer Society, the average age of patients diagnosed with oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers is 63, but just over 20% of cases occur in patients younger than 55.
Overall, the lifetime risk of developing oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer is about 1 in 60 for men and 1 in 141 for women. These are average risks, but a number of factors (described in Oral Cavity and Oropharyngeal Cancer Risk Factors) can affect your risk for developing mouth and throat cancer.
Overall, 11.5 adults per 100,000 will develop oral cancer. Oral cancer incidence rates are significantly higher for males than for females; the incidence rate for all ages in males is nearly three times greater for males than for females.
Mouth sores that easily bleed and do not heal. Loose teeth. Red or white patches on the tonsils, gums, tongue, or the mouth lining. Having a thickening or a lump on the cheek, gums, lips, or neck.
There are approximately 2500 new cases of oral and pharyngeal cancer registered in Australia each year (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare). The life-time risk of developing oral cancer is approximately 1 in 90 for men and 1 in 200 for women (NHMRC 1996).
Stage 1. This is the earliest stage of invasive cancer. It means the cancer is 2cm or smaller and it is 5mm deep or less. It has not spread to nearby tissues, lymph nodes or other organs.
Symptoms of oral cancer are commonly mistaken for other, less serious conditions, such as a toothache or mouth sore. If seemingly benign symptoms persist, however, you should call your doctor, who may recommend tests to check for oral cancer.
Oral cancer may present as: patches of rough, white, or red tissue. a hard, painless lump near the back teeth or in the cheek. a bumpy spot near the front teeth.
For all mouth (oral cavity) cancers:
more than 75 out of 100 people (more than 75%) survive their cancer for 1 year or more after they are diagnosed. around 55 out of 100 people (around 55%) survive their cancer for 5 years or more after diagnosis.
Oral cancers often have a tiny lump or bump under the lesions that you can feel. Behavior: Oral cancer in its earliest stages is not usually painful. But canker sores often are. They become less painful as they heal.
Oral cancer is fairly common. It can be cured if found and treated at an early stage (when it's small and has not spread). A healthcare provider or dentist often finds oral cancer in its early stages because the mouth and lips are easy to examine. Almost all oral cancers are squamous cell carcinomas.
Most oral cancers are a type called squamous cell carcinoma. These cancers tend to spread quickly.
Overall, for all cases and types of laryngeal cancer, about 55% of patients survive for 10 years or more after diagnosis.
If the cancer has not spread beyond the mouth or the part of your throat at the back of your mouth (oropharynx) a complete cure may be possible using surgery alone. If the cancer is large or has spread to your neck, a combination of surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy may be needed.
The most common symptoms of mouth cancer are: sore mouth ulcers that do not heal within several weeks. unexplained, persistent lumps in the mouth that do not go away. unexplained, persistent lumps in the lymph glands in the neck that do not go away.
Oral cancer most often occurs in people over the age of 40 and affects more than twice as many men as women. Most oral cancers are related to tobacco use, alcohol use (or both), or infection by the human papilloma virus (HPV).
Most dentists perform an examination of your mouth during a routine dental visit to screen for oral cancer. Some dentists may use additional tests to aid in identifying areas of abnormal cells in your mouth.