Oral cancer considered one of the most 10 cancer among world population [1]. In the period between 1995- 2015 Saudi cancers registries detect 172,424 cancer cases, 3184 were oral cancer cases. 1.5 Per 100000 for female population and 1.4 per 100000 among male population, the majority of cases are from jazan region [2, 3]. The aim of this review is to explain the basic and essential aspects of oral cancer focusing on squamous cell carcinoma , starting from its definition to epidemiology in Saudi Arabia as well world wild as well addressing carcinogenesis , potential malignant diseases , and premalignant lesions. As oral cancer is preventable disease, prevention will be addressed as well.