Malignant neoplasms of lip, oral cavity or pharynx

Squamous cell carcinomas amount to more than 90% of malignant tumours of the oral cavity and oropharynx. As in other parts of the upper aerodigestive tract, there is a strong and synergistic association with tobacco smoking and alcohol abuse. In some regions, particularly the Indian subcontinent, oral cancer is among the most frequent malignancies, largely due to tobacco chewing.