Trends in Head and Neck Cancer: Oral Cavity Carcinoma and What the Radiologist Needs to Know

Decreased tobacco use has resulted in substantial declines in the prevalence of upper aerodigestive tract malignancies. However, the prevalence of oral cavity squamous cell carcinomas has been steadily increasing despite decreases in tobacco-related malignancies both within the United States and worldwide. The cause driving the increasing prevalence is unknown and may reflect a combination of viral, environmental, and genetic mechanisms. Radiologists must be familiar with the imaging appearance of oral cavity carcinomas to achieve proper staging and to guide surgical and/or radiation therapy management. This article will review the emerging trends in oral cavity carcinoma, the basics of oral cavity anatomy relevant to subsites of cancer involvement, the imaging appearance of this entity, and the information critical for appropriate staging to direct surgical management, medical treatment, and/or radiation therapy. Keywords: Ear/Nose/Throat, Head/Neck, Tongue, Neoplasms-Primary, Oncology, CT, MR Imaging, Diagnosis, PET/CT, PET/MRI © RSNA, 2025.