Oral cancer is defined by the international classification of diseases by malignant tumors affecting any location of the oral cavity, throat, lips (including the tonsils and pharynx). Their most common location is in the floor of the mouth (mucous membrane under the tongue), Maple side of the tongue and the soft palate.

More than 90% of these cancers are known as carcinomas affecting the oral mucosa epithelium. The remaining match the rarest forms of tumors and lymphomas, sarcomas, including melanomas, etc. Oral cancer is associated with high mortality rates, which is due in large part to its late diagnosis.

The carcinoma of the head and neck is the 6th most common cancer worldwide (Jemal A, Siegel R, Ward E, et al. Cancer statistics, 2006. CA Cancer J Clin. 2006; 56:106-130) and corresponds to approximately 2.8% of all cancers. Oral cancer is more common in men, and above 45 years of age, increasing considerably up to 65 years.

Tobacco and alcohol are the main risk factors in the development of oral cancer. Tobacco smoke is related to various transformations on the oral mucosa and has a direct carcinogenicity in the epithelial cells. It is estimated that 8:0 pm every 10 patients diagnosed with oral cancer consume or have consumed tobacco, having these patients a 5 to 7 times higher risk of developing oral cancer when compared with non-smokers. Oral cancer is so strongly associated with a less healthy lifestyle, this is the consumption of tobacco and alcohol, associated with a reduced intake of vegetables and fruits and so low in foods containing antioxidant agents

The oral cavity carcinomas can manifest itself as a slick, variable color, usually white or reddish, a mass more or less hardened or an ulcer that does not heal. Most lesions are painless in its early stages, becoming progressively painful. Examples of signs and symptoms: persistent ulcers, hardened areas, areas of tissue growth, lesions that do not heal, tooth mobility, pain, paresthesia (loss of sensation), dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), white and red lesions, Lymphadenopathy (enlarged lymph nodes).

Oral cancer this is essentially with surgery and radiotherapy, isolated or combined. The key factor to treatment is early diagnosis of the lesions, which significantly improves survival rates to the disease.

Despite advances that have occurred in recent years in the diagnosis and treatment of oral cancer this continues to have a very high mortality rate. It is estimated that about 6:0 pm every 10 oral cancer patients die in 5 years after the date of diagnosis. The failure appears to be linked to the fact that most cases are not diagnosed in time.

Oral cancer prevention goes through:
• adoption of a healthy lifestyle;
• cessation of tobacco use;
• decrease in consumption of alcohol;
• regular consumption of fresh vegetables and fruits as a protective factor;
• regular visits to the Dentist so that such injuries are diagnosed in its earliest stages

In oral cancer screening the Dentist makes a visual examination of all the oral structures (lips, tongue, gums, palate, cheeks, floor of the mouth, etc.) as well as the structures attached to the oral cavity (ex: salivary glands, neck). Palpation of the peri-oral and oral structures is also carried out to detect possible increases in volume and hardened areas. Can still be ordered complementary diagnostic examinations (e.g., x-rays). When a suspicious lesion is observed the same biopsy may be recommended, allowing confirmation of the initial diagnosis and their signs of malignancy.