Epidemiology And Aetiopathogenesis Of Oral Malignancy: Current Trends

Malignancy of oropharynx and oral cavity has seen a rising trend in the past 2 decades. With increasing globalisation, sedentary lifestyle and poor oral hygienic habits, cancers of various parts of oral cavity have become more and more common. Squamous cell carcinoma is the commonest head and neck malignancy and also most frequently seen in the oropharynx. It is associated with tobacco and alcohol consumption; owing to the synergistic action of these two carcinogens. The last 20 years have also seen a rise in HPV associated cancers. In this chapter, we will discuss the current epidemiological trends and aetiopathogenesis in development of oral malignancies in various parts of the world.