Oral Cancer in Young Adults in Brazil: Analysis of National Records from 2015 to 2025
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.36557/2674-8169.2026v8n8p615-655Keywords:
Oral Neoplasms, Young Adult, Epidemiology, Dentistry, BrazilAbstract
Oral cancer remains an important public health problem in Brazil because of its epidemiological burden, its frequently late diagnosis, and its functional, aesthetic, and psychosocial impacts. This neoplasm has traditionally been associated with men over 50 years of age and prolonged exposure to tobacco and alcohol; recent publications, however, have broadened the discussion of its occurrence among young adults. This study aimed to analyse the epidemiological profile of recorded oral cancer cases among young adults in Brazil, combining national secondary data with the scientific literature. This is a descriptive, quantitative study supported by a narrative review. Data were obtained from the Brazilian Oncology Panel for malignant neoplasms coded C00–C06 (ICD-10) from 2015 to 2025, by year of diagnosis, age group, sex, and state of residence, and were complemented by incidence estimates and mortality data from the Brazilian National Cancer Institute. A total of 100,957 cases were recorded, with male predominance (69.8%), concentration in age groups of 50 years or older (81.8%), and a higher volume of records in the Southeast (44.9%) and South (21.5%). Cases aged 20 to 44 years totalled 10,296 (10.3%), ruling out the notion of a rare event. The rise in records from 2018 onwards coexists with stationary or decreasing mortality trends among young adults, suggesting a substantial contribution from improved case ascertainment. There is no replacement of the classical profile, but rather an expansion of its complexity; distinguishing the oral cavity from the oropharynx analytically and strengthening clinical suspicion in younger age groups are essential.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Ezequias Matildes Almeida, Mariana Gomes Sampaio de Souza, Diego Santa Cruz Gomes, Pedro Henrique Cristino de Sousa, Lucas Oliveira de Lima, Patrícia Gizeli Brassalli de Melo
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