In Hungary oral and pharyngeal cancers have been reported the fourth most common malignancy in males and the sixth for both sexes. The aim of the present study was to characterize oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients in Northeastern Hungary. 119 randomly selected patients with OSCC were included in the study. Epidemiological data, clinicopathological parameters and the risk factors were registered. The most common sites of OSCC were the floor of the mouth (27.7%), the lip (26.9%) and the tongue (22.7%). The majority of the patients was diagnosed with early stage (I-II) lesions and moderately differentiated tumors. The 5-year overall survival rate was 38.7%. There was a significant correlation between survival and tumor size, lymph node involvement and clinical stage. At the time of diagnosis 65.5% of the patients were smokers. Smoking significantly correlated with younger age, male gender, advanced clinical stages and alcohol consumption. 75.5% of the patients consumed alcohol, 41.1% of them exceeding the conventional amount regularly. Drinking habit significantly correlated with younger age, male gender and tumor site i.e. gingiva, retromolar region, tongue. The dental status was acceptable only in 12.6% of the cases. There was a significant correlation between dental status and age, smoking and drinking habits. Clinical stage has the most significant impact on survival and the most important high-risk habits in Northeastern Hungary are smoking and alcohol consumption. Therefore, early detection and treatment, cessation of tobacco and alcohol abuse, and a regular dental care may improve patients' survival in the region.