Overview
Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity (also called oral squamous cell carcinoma, or OSCC) is a type of cancer that starts in the flat, skin-like cells lining the inside of the mouth. This includes the lips, tongue, gums, the floor of the mouth, the roof of the mouth (hard palate), and the inner cheeks. It is the most common type of mouth cancer and accounts for the large majority of all oral cancers worldwide. The cancer can grow into nearby tissues, spread to lymph nodes in the neck, and in more advanced cases reach distant organs like the lungs or liver. Common symptoms include a sore or ulcer 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. Many people also notice loosening of teeth or a change in how their voice sounds. Treatment depends on how advanced the cancer is at diagnosis. Options include surgery to remove the tumor, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and newer targeted or immunotherapy drugs. When caught early, oral squamous cell carcinoma can often be treated successfully. The main risk factors are tobacco use (smoking or chewing), heavy alcohol use, and infection with certain strains of human papillomavirus (HPV). Early detection is key to better outcomes.
Key symptoms:
A mouth sore or ulcer that does not heal after two to three weeksA white patch (leukoplakia) or red patch (erythroplakia) inside the mouthPain or difficulty swallowingA lump or thickening in the cheek, tongue, or neckUnexplained bleeding in the mouthNumbness or loss of feeling in the tongue or lipsLoose teeth with no dental causeJaw pain or stiffnessA sore throat that does not go awayChanges in voice or speechEar pain on one sideUnintended weight lossDifficulty opening the mouth fully
Multifactorial
Caused by a mix of several genes and environmental factors
Adult
Begins in adulthood (age 18 or older)
FDA & Trial Timeline
10 eventsVanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center — PHASE1
Centre Georges Francois Leclerc — NA
Zhujiang Hospital
Qunxing Li,MD — PHASE3
AbbVie — PHASE1
Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University — PHASE2
Zhujiang Hospital
Shanghai Zhongshan Hospital — PHASE2
Centre Leon Berard — NA
VLP Therapeutics — PHASE1
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
1 availableLYMPHOSEEK
Guiding sentinel lymph node biopsy using a handheld gamma counter in patients with clinically node negative squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity
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 the oral cavity.
Community
No community posts yet. Be the first to share your experience with Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity.
Start the conversation →Latest news about Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity
Disease timeline:
New recruiting trial: Intratumoral Delivery of Viral Replicon (saRNA) Particles Expressing IL-12 in Head and Neck Cancer
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity
New recruiting trial: Antibiotic Treatment Effects on Intratumoral Bacteria Modulation in Surgical Patients With Oral Cancer
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity
New recruiting trial: Nisin in Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OCSCC)
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity
New recruiting trial: Multi-Site Trial of Navigation vs Treatment as Usual to Improve Initiation of Timely Adjuvant Therapy
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity
New recruiting trial: Gross Examinations Versus Frozen Section for Assessment of Surgical Margins in Oral Cancers
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity
New recruiting trial: A Study of ASP-1929 Photoimmunotherapy in Combination With Pembrolizumab in First-line Treatment of Locoregional Recurrent Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck With No Distant Metastases
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity
New recruiting trial: Reflectance Confocal Microscopy of Oral Cancers in Vivo: a Preliminary Trial Comparing Intra-oral Imaging With Pathology
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity
New recruiting trial: Cemiplimab and Cetuximab Prior Salvage Surgery in Patients With Recurrent Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OCSCC).
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity
New recruiting trial: Tobacco, Alcohol and Cancerization of the Oral Mucosa (TACO)
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity
New recruiting trial: People Living With HIV, Oral and Oropharyngeal Cancer, and Health Equity
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity
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?,Is my tumor HPV-positive, and how does that affect my prognosis and treatment?,What are the expected side effects of surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy, and how will they affect my ability to eat and speak?,Am I a candidate for immunotherapy or targeted therapy like cetuximab or pembrolizumab?,What does my follow-up schedule look like, and what signs of recurrence should I watch for?,Should I or my family members be tested for inherited cancer syndromes?,What support services — such as speech therapy, nutrition counseling, or mental health support — are available to me?
Common questions about Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity
What is Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity?
Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity (also called oral squamous cell carcinoma, or OSCC) is a type of cancer that starts in the flat, skin-like cells lining the inside of the mouth. This includes the lips, tongue, gums, the floor of the mouth, the roof of the mouth (hard palate), and the inner cheeks. It is the most common type of mouth cancer and accounts for the large majority of all oral cancers worldwide. The cancer can grow into nearby tissues, spread to lymph nodes in the neck, and in more advanced cases reach distant organs like the lungs or liver. Common symptoms include a sore
How is Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity inherited?
Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity follows a multifactorial inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity typically begin?
Typical onset of Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity is adult. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.
Are there clinical trials for Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity?
Yes — 14 recruiting clinical trials are currently listed for Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity 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 the oral cavity?
25 specialists and care centers treating Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.