Oral cancer survival rates have increased approximately 15 percent from the mid 1960s until the latest (2004) National Cancer Institute Survey. In spite of this improvement, significant disparities remain in some population groups.
Table 1 presents the most recent oral cancer survival rates by cancer stage at the time of diagnosis for adult men and women of all ages and for selected racial groups. Table 2 includes oral cancer survival rates from 1974 to 2003.
Oral Cancer Relative Survival (1996 to 2003) (Table 1)
- Overall, 60% of people with oral cancer survive for 5 years.
- Oral cancer survival rates are significantly lower for Black men and women.
- Diagnosing oral cancer at an early stage significantly increases 5-year survival rates.
Oral Cancer Relative Survival Trends (Table 2)
- Oral cancer survival rates have steadily improved since 1975.
- Disparities in survival rates between White and Black men have remained throughout this time period.
Table 1: Oral Cancer Relative Survival by Age, Race, and Gender
Probability in percent of surviving 5 years following a diagnosis of oral cancer, by selected characteristics
Source: Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program, National Cancer Institute
Surveillance Research Program, based on November 2006 submission of SEER Series 9 (1996-2003)
Most Recent 1996 to 2003
|
Race |
Gender |
All Stages |
Localized |
Regional |
Distant |
|
All Races |
All |
60.0 |
82.8 |
51.8 |
27.8 |
|
Male |
58.3 |
82.4 |
51.6 |
26.1 |
|
Female |
63.4 |
83.4 |
52.6 |
32.1 |
|
White |
All |
62.0 |
83.3 |
53.8 |
27.3 |
|
Male |
61.2 |
83.6 |
54.3 |
25.4 |
|
Female |
63.6 |
82.7 |
52.6 |
31.8 |
|
Black |
All |
40.6 |
73.7 |
33.7 |
26.2 |
|
Male |
35.0 |
64.0 |
31.1 |
25.0 |
|
Female |
54.0 |
86.5 |
41.0 |
30.0 |
Table 2: Oral Cancer Relative Survival by Age, Race, and Gender (Trends)
Probability in percent of surviving 5 years following a diagnosis of oral cancer, by selected characteristics
Source: Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program, National Cancer Institute
Surveillance Research Program, based on previous submissions of SEER data (1977-2003)
1975 to 1979
|
Race |
Gender |
All Stages |
Localized |
Regional |
Distant |
|
All Races |
All |
53.4 |
76.6 |
41.5 |
18.8 |
|
Male |
52.0 |
76.0 |
39.1 |
17.2 |
|
Female |
56.4 |
77.8 |
46.4 |
22.9 |
|
White |
All |
55.1 |
77.8 |
42.4 |
18.2 |
|
Male |
54.3 |
77.8 |
40.5 |
16.9 |
|
Female |
56.9 |
77.7 |
46.4 |
21.3 |
|
Black |
All |
36.6 |
56.8 |
33.6 |
14.7 |
|
Male |
30.6 |
46.9 |
29.2 |
10.7 |
|
Female |
48.7 |
72.4 |
43.0 |
23.3 |
1985 to 1989
|
Race |
Gender |
All Stages |
Localized |
Regional |
Distant |
|
All Races |
All |
54.6 |
81.0 |
42.3 |
17.5 |
|
Male |
51.8 |
80.4 |
40.0 |
14.2 |
|
Female |
60.3 |
82.2 |
47.2 |
26.6 |
|
White |
All |
56.9 |
81.5 |
43.7 |
18.4 |
|
Male |
54.8 |
81.1 |
41.7 |
15.2 |
|
Female |
60.9 |
82.2 |
47.8 |
26.1 |
|
Black |
All |
35.0 |
70.1 |
31.3 |
11.2 |
|
Male |
29.9 |
63.9 |
28.9 |
9.5 |
|
Female |
47.7 |
77.7 |
37.8 |
18.2 |