Oral cancers, especially those affecting the head and neck region, remain a major cause of mortality in developing nations such as Mongolia. This study employed a retrospective design to evaluate factors influencing 5-year survival outcomes among patients diagnosed with oral squamous cell carcinoma. We examined records from 173 patients with confirmed oral squamous cell carcinoma. Variables collected included demographic details (age, sex, residence, education), lifestyle factors (tobacco and alcohol use), oral health status, family cancer history, precancerous conditions, tumor characteristics, treatment regimens, rehabilitation data, recurrence, and survival status at five years. Survival estimates were generated using Kaplan–Meier analysis, and statistical procedures were conducted using STATA software. The overall 5-year survival rate across all oral cancer cases was 50.3%, while patients with tongue carcinoma demonstrated a lower survival rate of 38%. Key predictors for survival included age, place of residence, cancer stage, and recurrence. Patients older than 60 years exhibited a higher risk of death compared with those 60 or younger (HR = 1.52). Female patients experienced better survival outcomes (HR = 0.47, CI = 0.29–0.77). Urban residence was linked with worse survival (HR = 1.92, CI = 1.22–3.05). The presence of recurrent cancer nearly doubled the risk of mortality (HR = 1.99, CI = 1.15–3.04). Stage IV disease was associated with a fourfold increase in mortality risk compared to stage I patients (HR = 4.08, CI = 1.2–13.84).Findings indicate that advanced age, urban living, and tumor recurrence significantly decrease survival probabilities in oral cancer patients. Stage IV disease further amplifies mortality risk. These results highlight the importance of early diagnosis, timely intervention, and rigorous monitoring to detect oral cancers at earlier stages. Mongolia’s survival rates remain lower than in developed countries, emphasizing the need for public education, preventive strategies, and comprehensive cancer awareness programs to improve outcomes.
