Oral Cancer Information
Oral cancer is common as leukemia and kills more Americans each year than either skin or cervical cancer. Patients with oral cancer have a poor prognosis, and the 5-year survival rate of approximately 50% has
remained unchanged for the past 50 years. Perhaps the single most important reason for this is the fact
that oral cancers continue to be diagnosed in advanced stages. Research studies have repeatedly
demonstrated that the survival rate for oral cancer patients increases dramatically when the diagnosis is established in early stages. Not all lesions found in the mouth is cancer, "general" guide lines are
approximately
50% of lesions found - Needs no treatment, but should be observed for changes.
45% of lesions found - Needs to be removed, they are "slow Growers" they are
not consider cancerous but will grow. These lesions could
invade vital tissues, become very large and then difficult to remove.
5% of lesions found - Are cancerous or precancerous and MUST BE TREATED A.S.A.P.
Go to the bottom of the page for a handy oral cancer self exam.
Links useful for those interested in oral cancer issues.