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Statistics at a Glance

At a Glance

Estimated New Cases in 2024 58,450

% of All New Cancer Cases 2.9%

Estimated Deaths in 2024 12,230

% of All Cancer Deaths 2.0%

5-Year
Relative Survival

69.0% 2014–2020
Year Rate of New Cases — SEER 8 Rate of New Cases — SEER 12 Death Rate — U.S. 5-Year Relative Survival — SEER 8
Observed Modeled Trend Observed Modeled Trend Observed Modeled Trend Observed Modeled Trend
1975 13.71 14.08 - - 4.30 4.40 54.33% 53.84%
1976 13.38 13.93 - - 4.22 4.33 54.73% 54.01%
1977 12.83 13.79 - - 4.32 4.27 53.07% 54.17%
1978 13.36 13.64 - - 4.19 4.20 56.04% 54.33%
1979 14.22 13.50 - - 4.24 4.14 55.08% 54.50%
1980 13.29 13.36 - - 4.16 4.08 55.65% 54.66%
1981 13.66 13.22 - - 4.05 4.02 54.25% 54.82%
1982 13.16 13.09 - - 4.02 3.96 52.17% 54.98%
1983 13.32 12.95 - - 3.94 3.90 53.35% 55.14%
1984 13.14 12.82 - - 3.88 3.84 53.97% 55.30%
1985 13.16 12.68 - - 3.75 3.79 56.02% 55.46%
1986 12.23 12.55 - - 3.72 3.73 56.89% 55.62%
1987 12.90 12.42 - - 3.53 3.67 57.34% 55.78%
1988 11.93 12.29 - - 3.59 3.62 53.63% 55.94%
1989 11.99 12.17 - - 3.50 3.56 54.77% 56.10%
1990 12.34 12.04 - - 3.58 3.51 58.61% 56.26%
1991 11.91 11.92 - - 3.47 3.46 56.62% 56.42%
1992 11.96 11.79 11.68 11.69 3.34 3.37 55.98% 57.16%
1993 12.27 11.67 11.72 11.53 3.34 3.28 57.96% 57.89%
1994 11.56 11.55 11.29 11.38 3.15 3.20 61.18% 58.61%
1995 11.03 11.43 10.84 11.22 3.16 3.12 59.93% 59.33%
1996 11.54 11.31 11.30 11.07 3.03 3.04 58.72% 60.03%
1997 11.36 11.20 11.23 10.92 2.98 2.96 60.88% 60.73%
1998 11.03 11.08 10.91 10.77 2.96 2.88 59.25% 61.42%
1999 10.38 10.97 10.27 10.63 2.73 2.81 60.25% 62.11%
2000 10.34 10.85 10.27 10.48 2.69 2.74 62.84% 62.78%
2001 10.46 10.74 10.19 10.34 2.72 2.70 61.38% 63.45%
2002 10.91 10.63 10.51 10.20 2.68 2.66 61.94% 64.10%
2003 10.37 10.52 10.02 10.06 2.64 2.63 66.83% 64.75%
2004 10.78 10.41 10.28 10.12 2.61 2.59 66.71% 65.40%
2005 10.59 10.51 10.11 10.18 2.53 2.55 65.84% 66.03%
2006 10.55 10.61 9.99 10.24 2.48 2.52 67.29% 66.65%
2007 10.66 10.72 10.23 10.31 2.52 2.48 67.82% 67.27%
2008 10.83 10.82 10.51 10.37 2.45 2.45 67.88% 67.88%
2009 10.92 10.93 10.52 10.43 2.37 2.41 68.43% 68.48%
2010 10.83 11.03 10.37 10.49 2.47 2.43 70.69% 69.07%
2011 11.08 11.14 10.50 10.55 2.48 2.45 71.18% 69.65%
2012 11.23 11.25 10.71 10.62 2.50 2.47 69.59% 70.22%
2013 11.27 11.36 10.80 10.68 2.42 2.49 69.55% 70.79%
2014 11.37 11.47 10.69 10.74 2.52 2.50 71.75% 71.35%
2015 11.83 11.58 11.02 10.81 2.54 2.52 72.86% 71.90%
2016 11.91 11.70 10.98 10.87 2.60 2.54 73.08% 72.44%
2017 11.65 11.81 10.72 10.94 2.54 2.56 - 72.97%
2018 12.38 11.92 11.25 11.00 2.49 2.58 - 73.49%
2019 11.86 12.04 10.90 11.07 2.53 2.60 - 74.01%
2020 11.01 12.16 10.20 11.13 2.56 2.62 - 74.51%
2021 12.08 12.28 11.07 11.20 2.67 2.63 - 75.01%
2022 - - - - 2.73 2.65 - 75.50%

New cases come from SEER 12. Deaths come from U.S. Mortality.
All Races, Both Sexes. Rates are Age-Adjusted.
Modeled trend lines were calculated from the underlying rates using the Joinpoint Trend Analysis Software.
The 2020 incidence rate is displayed but not used in the fit of the trend line(s). Impact of COVID on SEER Cancer Incidence 2020 data

New cases are also referred to as incident cases in other publications. Rates of new cases are also referred to as incidence rates.

Rate of New Cases and Deaths per 100,000: The rate of new cases of oral cavity and pharynx cancer was 11.5 per 100,000 men and women per year. The death rate was 2.6 per 100,000 men and women per year. These rates are age-adjusted and based on 2017–2021 cases and 2018–2022 deaths.

Lifetime Risk of Developing Cancer: Approximately 1.2 percent of men and women will be diagnosed with oral cavity and pharynx cancer at some point during their lifetime, based on 2017–2019 data. Lifetime risk based on data through 2022 will available soon.

Prevalence of This Cancer: In 2021, there were an estimated 434,915 people living with oral cavity and pharynx cancer in the United States.

Did You Know? Video Series

Survival Statistics

How Many People Survive 5 Years Or More after Being Diagnosed with Oral Cavity and Pharynx Cancer?

Relative survival is an estimate of the percentage of patients who would be expected to survive the effects of their cancer. It excludes the risk of dying from other causes. Because survival statistics are based on large groups of people, they cannot be used to predict exactly what will happen to an individual patient. No two patients are entirely alike, and treatment and responses to treatment can vary greatly.

69.0%

5-Year
Relative Survival

69.0%

Based on data from SEER 22 (Excluding IL/MA) 2014–2020. Gray figures represent those who have died from oral cavity and pharynx cancer. Green figures represent those who have survived 5 years or more.

Additional Information

Survival by Stage

Cancer stage at diagnosis, which refers to extent of a cancer in the body, determines treatment options and has a strong influence on the length of survival. In general, if the cancer is found only in the part of the body where it started it is localized (sometimes referred to as stage 1). If it has spread to a different part of the body, the stage is regional or distant. The earlier oral cavity and pharynx cancer is caught, the better chance a person has of surviving five years after being diagnosed. For oral cavity and pharynx cancer, 26.4% are diagnosed at the local stage. The 5-year relative survival for localized oral cavity and pharynx cancer is 87.5%.

Percent of Cases & 5-Year Relative Survival by Stage at Diagnosis: Oral Cavity and Pharynx Cancer
Stage Percent of Cases 5-Year Relative Survival
Localized
Confined to Primary Site		 26% 87.5%
Regional
Spread to Regional Lymph Nodes		 53% 69.5%
Distant
Cancer Has Metastasized		 14% 37.8%
Unknown
Unstaged		 7% 60.9%

SEER 22 (Excluding IL/MA) 2014–2020, All Races, Both Sexes by SEER Combined Summary Stage

Additional Information

New Cases and Deaths

How Common Is This Cancer?

Common Types of Cancer Estimated New
Cases 2024		 Estimated
Deaths 2024
1. Breast Cancer (Female) 310,720 42,250
2. Prostate Cancer 299,010 35,250
3. Lung and Bronchus Cancer 234,580 125,070
4. Colorectal Cancer 152,810 53,010
5. Melanoma of the Skin 100,640 8,290
6. Bladder Cancer 83,190 16,840
7. Kidney and Renal Pelvis Cancer 81,610 14,390
8. Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma 80,620 20,140
9. Uterine Cancer 67,880 13,250
10. Pancreatic Cancer 66,440 51,750
- - -
Oral Cavity and Pharynx Cancer 58,450 12,230

Oral cavity and pharynx cancer represents 2.9% of all new cancer cases in the U.S.

2.9%

In 2024, it is estimated that there will be 58,450 new cases of oral cavity and pharynx cancer and an estimated 12,230 people will die of this disease.

Who Gets This Cancer?

Oral cancer is more common in men than women, among those with a history of tobacco or heavy alcohol use, and individuals infected with human papillomavirus (HPV). The rate of new cases of oral cavity and pharynx cancer was 11.5 per 100,000 men and women per year based on 2017–2021 cases, age-adjusted.

Rate of New Cases per 100,000 Persons by Race/Ethnicity & Sex: Oral Cavity and Pharynx Cancer
Males
All Races 17.1
Hispanic 10.2
Non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native 18.0
Non-Hispanic Asian/Pacific Islander 12.0
Non-Hispanic Black 12.7
Non-Hispanic White 20.1
Females
All Races 6.4
Hispanic 4.5
Non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native 5.8
Non-Hispanic Asian/Pacific Islander 5.6
Non-Hispanic Black 4.9
Non-Hispanic White 7.2

SEER 22 2017–2021, Age-Adjusted

Percent of New Cases by Age Group: Oral Cavity and Pharynx Cancer
Age Range Percent of New Cases
<20 0.4%
20–34 1.8%
35–44 4.0%
45–54 13.7%
55–64 30.4%
65–74 29.0%
75–84 15.0%
>84 5.8%

Oral cavity and pharynx cancer is most frequently diagnosed among people aged 55–64.

Median Age
At Diagnosis

64

SEER 22 2017–2021, All Races, Both Sexes

Who Dies From This Cancer?

For oral cancer, death rates are higher among males, particularly those of African American descent. The death rate was 2.6 per 100,000 men and women per year based on 2018–2022 deaths, age-adjusted.

Death Rate per 100,000 Persons by Race/Ethnicity & Sex: Oral Cavity and Pharynx Cancer
Males
All Races 4.0
Hispanic 2.4
Non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native 3.5
Non-Hispanic Asian/Pacific Islander 3.1
Non-Hispanic Black 4.3
Non-Hispanic White 4.3
Females
All Races 1.4
Hispanic 0.8
Non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native 1.6
Non-Hispanic Asian/Pacific Islander 1.2
Non-Hispanic Black 1.2
Non-Hispanic White 1.5

U.S. 2018–2022, Age-Adjusted

Percent of Deaths by Age Group: Oral Cavity and Pharynx Cancer
Age Range Percent of Deaths
<20 0.0%
20–34 0.6%
35–44 1.8%
45–54 7.9%
55–64 25.2%
65–74 30.5%
75–84 21.4%
>84 12.5%

The percent of oral cavity and pharynx cancer deaths is highest among people aged 65–74.

Median Age
At Death

69

U.S. 2018–2022, All Races, Both Sexes

Trends in Rates

Changes Over Time

Keeping track of new cases, deaths, and survival over time (trends) can help scientists understand whether progress is being made and where additional research is needed to address challenges, such as improving screening or finding better treatments.

Using statistical models for analysis, age-adjusted rates for new oral cavity and pharynx cancer cases have been rising on average 1.0% each year over 2012–2021. Age-adjusted death rates have been rising on average 0.7% each year over 2013–2022. 5-year relative survival trends are shown below.

New Cases, Deaths and 5-Year Relative Survival

Interactive Statistics with SEER*Explorer

With SEER*Explorer, you can...
  • Create custom graphs and tables
  • Download data and images
  • Share links to results

SEER*Explorer is an interactive website that provides easy access to a wide range of SEER cancer statistics. It provides detailed statistics for a cancer site by gender, race, calendar year, age, and for a selected number of cancer sites, by stage and histology.

Explore Additional Oral Cavity and Pharynx Cancer Statistics

More About This Cancer

Cancer and the Oral Cavity and Pharynx

Figure: Oral Cavity Anatomy

Figure: Anatomy of the oral cavity; drawing shows the lip, hard palate, soft palate, retromolar trigone, front two-thirds of the tongue, gingiva, buccal mucosa, and floor of mouth. Also shown are the teeth, uvula, and tonsil.

Most lip and oral cavity cancers start in squamous cells, the thin, flat cells that line the lips and oral cavity. These are called squamous cell carcinomas. Cancer cells may spread into deeper tissue as the cancer grows. Squamous cell carcinoma usually develops in areas of leukoplakia (white patches of cells that do not rub off).

Lip and oral cavity cancer is a type of head and neck cancer.

Additional Information

Related Stat Facts by Subtype

More Information

Here are some resources for learning more about oral cancer.

References

All statistics in this report are based on statistics from SEER and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics. Most can be found within SEER*Explorer.

Suggested Citation

All material in this report is in the public domain and may be reproduced or copied without permission; citation as to source, however, is appreciated.

SEER Cancer Stat Facts: Oral Cavity and Pharynx Cancer. National Cancer Institute. Bethesda, MD, https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/oralcav.html

These stat facts focus on population statistics that are based on the U.S. population. Because these statistics are based on large groups of people, they cannot be used to predict exactly what will happen to an individual patient. To see tailored statistics, browse SEER*Explorer. To see statistics for a specific state, go to the State Cancer Profiles.

The statistics presented in these stat facts are based on the most recent data available, most of which can be found in SEER*Explorer. In some cases, different year spans may be used.

Estimates of new cases and deaths for 2024 are projections made by the American Cancer Society (ACS), based on earlier reported data.

Cancer is a complex topic. There is a wide range of information available. These stat facts do not address causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, follow-up care, or decision making, although links are provided to information in many of these areas.