How long will I survive with mouth cancer?

Mouth cancer (oral cancer) is not an immediate death sentence, but it can be life-threatening if not diagnosed and treated early. If oral cancer is diagnosed in the early stages, the survival rate is about 81%. However, many are found in the late stages resulting in a death rate of about 45% at 5 years of diagnosis. These late stage diagnoses often occur because of the lack of public awareness and screening opportunities. Mouth cancer begins as sore or growth on your tongue, lips, or floor of your mouth, and it can spread to surrounding areas. Talk to your doctor or dentist about screenings for and  symptoms of mouth or oral cancer.