Epidemiological and diagnostic aspects of oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Available data in United States on morbidity, mortality and survival is reviewed and trends discussed. Oral squamous cell carcinoma is a small problem in numerical terms, but is a highly lethal disease. The diagnosis is not difficult for the competent pathologist but problems arise in the diagnosis and prognosis of potentially malignant conditions. Our understanding of the behavior of dysplastic lesions is limited and any attempts to determine individuals "at risk" should be encouraged.