Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck affects more than 40,000 people each year in the ., and at least 13,000 people each year die of this disease. In many countries, oral cancers are one of the leading causes of cancer incidence, and a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Sadly, these statistics have not improved despite clear delineation of tobacco and alcohol as contributory or etiologic in at least 80% of cases.