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Epidemiology

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Oral cancer accounts for 2% of cancers registered in the UK, with almost 11,000 cases each year. (1)

There is a male to female ratio of 2:1, with 78% of cases occurring in people over the age of 55.

Site incidence of squamous carcinoma in the oral cavity:

  • tongue - 50%
  • buccal mucosa - 15%
  • floor of mouth - 15%
  • hard palate - 10%
  • lower alveolus - 10%

Reference

  1. Oral cancer statistics; Cancer Research UK. February 2026 (online).

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