Overview
Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity and lip (also called oral squamous cell carcinoma, or OSCC) is a type of cancer that starts in the flat, thin cells lining the inside of the mouth, lips, tongue, gums, cheeks, floor of the mouth, and the roof of the mouth. It is the most common type of mouth cancer. The cancer begins when these cells grow out of control and form a tumor. If not caught early, it can spread to nearby lymph nodes in the neck and, in more advanced cases, to other parts of the body. The most common warning signs include a sore in the mouth that does not heal, a white or red patch on the gums or tongue, pain or difficulty swallowing, a lump in the neck, and unexplained bleeding in the mouth. Risk factors include tobacco use (smoking or chewing), heavy alcohol use, infection with certain strains of human papillomavirus (HPV), and prolonged sun exposure to the lips. Treatment depends on how advanced the cancer is. Options include surgery to remove the tumor, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and targeted drug therapy. Immunotherapy drugs such as pembrolizumab (Keytruda) and nivolumab (Opdivo) are FDA-approved for certain cases of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. When found early, this cancer is often very treatable. Regular dental check-ups play an important role in early detection.
Key symptoms:
A sore or ulcer in the mouth that does not heal after two to three weeksA white patch (leukoplakia) or red patch (erythroplakia) inside the mouthPain or difficulty swallowing or chewingA lump or thickening in the cheek, tongue, or lipUnexplained bleeding in the mouthNumbness or loss of feeling in the tongue or other areas of the mouthLoose teeth with no dental causeA persistent sore throat or hoarse voiceA lump or swelling in the neckJaw pain or stiffnessUnexplained weight lossChanges in how dentures fitEar pain on one side without hearing loss
Multifactorial
Caused by a mix of several genes and environmental factors
Adult
Begins in adulthood (age 18 or older)
FDA & Trial Timeline
10 eventsNRG Oncology — PHASE3
National Cancer Institute (NCI) — PHASE2
Vanessa Torrecillas — NA
University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center — PHASE2
University of Colorado, Denver
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center — PHASE2
GeneMedicine Co., Ltd. — PHASE1, PHASE2
Medical University of South Carolina — NA
University of Wisconsin, Madison — PHASE1
ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group — PHASE3
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Squamous cell carcinoma of oral cavity and lip.
18 clinical trialsare actively recruiting — trials can provide access to cutting-edge therapies.
View clinical trials →Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Squamous cell carcinoma of oral cavity and lip.
Community
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Start the conversation →Latest news about Squamous cell carcinoma of oral cavity and lip
Disease timeline:
New recruiting trial: Personalized Neck Radiation Therapy Directed by Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy for the Treatment of Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma, PRECEDENT Trial
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Squamous cell carcinoma of oral cavity and lip
New recruiting trial: Comparing Sentinel Lymph Node (SLN) Biopsy With Standard Neck Dissection for Patients With Early-Stage Oral Cavity Cancer
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Squamous cell carcinoma of oral cavity and lip
New recruiting trial: Testing the Addition of Chemotherapy or Chemo-Immunotherapy to the Usual Surgery for Advanced Head and Neck Cancer
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Squamous cell carcinoma of oral cavity and lip
New recruiting trial: Microbiome in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Squamous cell carcinoma of oral cavity and lip
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.What stage is my cancer, and what does that mean for my treatment options?,Should my tumor be tested for HPV or other genetic changes, and how would that affect my treatment?,What are the likely side effects of the recommended treatment, and how long might they last?,Will I need reconstructive surgery, and what would recovery look like?,Are there clinical trials I might be eligible for?,What is the risk of the cancer coming back, and how will we monitor for that?,What support services are available to help with eating, speaking, and emotional wellbeing during treatment?
Common questions about Squamous cell carcinoma of oral cavity and lip
What is Squamous cell carcinoma of oral cavity and lip?
Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity and lip (also called oral squamous cell carcinoma, or OSCC) is a type of cancer that starts in the flat, thin cells lining the inside of the mouth, lips, tongue, gums, cheeks, floor of the mouth, and the roof of the mouth. It is the most common type of mouth cancer. The cancer begins when these cells grow out of control and form a tumor. If not caught early, it can spread to nearby lymph nodes in the neck and, in more advanced cases, to other parts of the body. The most common warning signs include a sore in the mouth that does not heal, a white or r
How is Squamous cell carcinoma of oral cavity and lip inherited?
Squamous cell carcinoma of oral cavity and lip follows a multifactorial inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Squamous cell carcinoma of oral cavity and lip typically begin?
Typical onset of Squamous cell carcinoma of oral cavity and lip is adult. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.
Are there clinical trials for Squamous cell carcinoma of oral cavity and lip?
Yes — 18 recruiting clinical trials are currently listed for Squamous cell carcinoma of oral cavity and lip on UniteRare. See the clinical trials section on this page for phase, sponsor, and site details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.
Which specialists treat Squamous cell carcinoma of oral cavity and lip?
25 specialists and care centers treating Squamous cell carcinoma of oral cavity and lip are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.