Almost half of the deaths caused by cancers of the oral cavity and pharynx in U.S. adults 35 and older in 2011 were attributable to cigarette smoking, according to a multi-institution research letter published in JAMA Internal Medicine.

Overall, almost 346,000 people died of one of 11 cancers in 2011 in the U.S. (see list below), including about 150,000 women and more than 197,000 men. Of these deaths, 48.5% were attributable to cigarette smoking. [Read more…]

In 2013, the Canadian Cancer Society estimated that there were 4100 new cases of oral cancer diagnosed.  Eleven new cases each day!  On average, 16 years of life is lost to oral cancer, one more than all cancers in general.  American statistics show that there are three times as many deaths from oral cancer as there is from cervical cancer. [Read more…]

Medicare costs for older patients with oral cavity and pharyngeal cancers increased based on demographics, co-existing illnesses and treatment selection, according to a report published online by JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery. Many cases of oral cavity cancer and most cases of pharyngeal cancer are diagnosed at advanced stages when management of the disease is complex and treatment is aggressive and involves multiple specialists. The publicly funded Medicare program provides an opportunity for researchers to estimate the cost of care for older patients with these cancers. [Read more…]