Oral Cancer
Oral cancer Includes cancers of lips, tongue, buccal mucosa, floor of mouth, and pharynx. Tobacco usage is primary risk factor. Oral cancer is two times more prevalent in males. There are twice as many deaths in males as females. Older men, heavy users of alcohol and tobacco, and individuals exposed to sunlight are most likely to contract oral cancer. Among them, males 40 to 65 years of age have highest number of lip and tongue cancers
Risk Factors
Smoking, alcohol consumption, painful and ill-fitting dentures, chronic inflammation, smokeless tobacco products. Chronic habits are attributed as the cause.
Some Statistic Reports
Below is the table showing the location and frequency of oral cancel.
| Location | Incidence | Percent |
| Tongue | 4,600 | 26% |
| Lip | 4,200 | 24% |
| Salivary gland | 2,400 | 14% |
| Floor of mouth | 2,200 | 13% |
| Buccal cavity | 1,500 | 9% |
| Gingivae | 1,500 | 9% |
| Palate | 900 | 5% |
| TOTAL | 17,300 | 100% |
From US Dept. of Health, Education, and Welfare:
Management guidelines for head and neck cancer,
Public Health Services Publ. 80-2037, 1979
Predisposing Factors in Oral Cancer Development
The following deals with a more advanced topic. Scientifically proven to be the predisposing factors in developing oral cancer include:
- Age
- Tobacco Use (cigarettes, pipes, cigars, smokeless tobacco)
- Excessive alcohol intake
- Actinic radiation
- Nutritional deficiencies (iron, vitamin Z, Zinc, copper)
- Syphilis