Epidemiologic and demographic update in oral cancer: California and national data--1973 to 1985.

The number of new oral cancers diagnosed in the United States increases each year, with 31,000 cases reported in 1989. Unfortunately, in spite of advances in surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, only about 50% of patients with oral cancer will survive their disease. During the past 12 years in which information is available, there have been no decided changes in age (mean 63), gender (males slightly outnumber females two to one), or sites (tongue most common). The lip is the only oral site showing an interval-decreased incidence. There is a slight trend toward an improvement in earlier detection; however, about two-thirds of all oral cancers are advanced (Stage III and IV) at the time of diagnosis.