Oral cancer is a pathologic process that begins with an asymptomatic stage during which the usual cancer signs may not be readily noticeable. This makes the oral cancer examinations performed by the dentist critically important.

Oral cancers can be of varied histologic types such as teratoma, adenocarcinoma, and melanoma. The most common type of oral cancer is malignant squamous cell carcinoma. This oral cancer type usually originates in lip and mouth tissues.

Oral cancers commonly occur in:

• Throat
• Salivary glands
• Lips
• Tongue
• Mouth
• Gums