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Oral Cancer
Of all major cancers, oral cancer has the worst five-year survival rate at about 54 percent. Because oral cancer is usually not diagnosed in its early stages, less than half of all oral cancer patients are cured. The most frequent oral cancer sites are the tongue, the floor of the mouth, and soft tissue areas in back of the tongue, lips, and gums. If not diagnosed and treated in its early stages, oral cancer can spread, leading to chronic pain, loss of function, irreparable facial and oral disfigurement following surgery, and possibly death. Your general dentist can perform a thorough examination for oral cancer. Oral cancer is the sixth most common cancer and accounts for about 4 percent of all cancers, with roughly 40,000 new cases of oral cancer reported annually in the United States. The vast majority of oral cancers occur in people over the age of 45 years, with men being twice as likely to develop the disease. Oral cancer is often associated with white, red or discolored patches or lumps in or around the mouth. It is usually painless in its early stages. As the malignant cancer spreads and destroys healthy oral tissue, the lesions or lumps become more painful. However, oral cancer is difficult to self-diagnose so routine dental exams are recommended.
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