|
The American Cancer Society estimates about 35,720 new cases
(25,240 in men and 10,480 in women) of oral cavity and oropharyngeal
cancer will be diagnosed in the United States in 2009. An estimated
7,600 people (5,240 men and 2,360 women) will die of these cancers in
2009.
These cancers are about twice as common in men as in women,
and are slightly more common in blacks than in whites. The rate of new
cases of this disease has been dropping during the past 30 years. Along
with this, the death rate for these cancers has been decreasing since
the late 1970s.
Oral cavity cancers occur most commonly in the following
sites:
- the tongue (about 20% to 25%)
- the floor of the mouth (about 15%)
- the lip (about 10% to 15%)
- the minor salivary glands (about 10% to 15%)
The rest are found in the gums, tonsils, and other sites.
The average age of most people diagnosed with these cancers is
62, but they can occur in young people. Although they occur rarely in
children, about one-third of the cancers occur in patients younger than
55.
The rates of these cancers vary among countries. For example,
they are much more common in Hungary and France than in the United
States and much less common in Mexico and Japan. Scientists think these
differences are probably caused by environmental risk factors. (See the
section, "What Are the Risk Factors for Oral Cavity and Oropharyngeal
Cancers?")
When patients newly diagnosed with oral and oropharyngeal
cancers are carefully examined, about 15% will have another cancer in a
nearby area such as the voice box (larynx), the tube leading from the
throat to the stomach (esophagus), or lung. Of those who are cured of
the oral or oropharyngeal cancer, 10% to 40% later will develop cancer
in one of these organs or a second cancer of the oral cavity or
oropharynx. For this reason, it is important for patients with oral and
oropharyngeal cancer to have follow-up exams for the rest of their
lives and to avoid habits like using tobacco and alcohol, which
increase the risk for these second cancers.
For statistics related to survival, see the section, "How
Is Oral Cavity and Oropharyngeal Cancer Staged?"
Last Medical Review: 09/28/2007
Last Revised: 05/12/2009
|
