Epidemiology of Oral Cancer

Oral cancer represents a health problem worldwide due to its morbidity and mortality. The prevalence of oral cancer presents some variations around the world. These rates vary by as much as 20-fold among different countries, age groups, gender, races, and ethnic groups. Globally, the emergence of oral cancer is higher in male than female, and the risk increases with age. In 2013, oral cancer incidence ranked eleventh among all sites of cancer. The Indian subcontinent accounts for one-third of the oral cancer burden in the world. Oral cancer is the most common cancer among men in India and the second cancer among Pakistani women. The lowest rates are found in Western Africa and Eastern Asia. North African countries also present low incidences.