The changing epidemiology of oral cancer: definitions, trends, and risk factors

Key Points Discusses issues affecting the definition of oral cancer and makes the case that emerging differences in the aetiology of the disease at different sites requires oral cavity cancer and oropharyngeal cancer to be clearly defined, recorded, and reported separately. Highlights that incidence of oropharyngeal cancer is rapidly rising across the UK. Rates of oral cavity cancer are higher in Northern Ireland and higher still (and relatively stable) in Scotland, but rising in England and Wales. Discusses how pooled international case-controlled study data are shedding increasing light not only on the causes of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers, but on the impact of avoiding risk factors.