Saliva-based Detection of CD44

Inclusion Criteria:

* Patient has the ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent.
* Previously untreated, measurable squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity or oropharynx with no evidence of distant metastasis, T1-4N0-3M0
* No prior history of treated upper aerodigestive tract cancer
* No concurrent, second, active malignancy other than oral cavity and/or oropharynx cancer
* Planned to undergo treatment with curative intent
* Able to follow up after therapy at 3, 6, 12, and 18 months after completion of therapy during routine post treatment follow up
* For control subjects: no evidence or history of upper aerodigestive tract cancer
* For control subjects: absence of any suspected or confirmed active malignancy at time of enrollment
* Patients may have had prior therapy for malignancy other than upper aerodigestive malignancy completed 2 years prior to enrollment if they have been disease free since completion of therapy
* Patient is ≥ 18 years of age.
* Both men and women of all races and ethnic groups are eligible for this trial.
* Performance Status ≤ ECOG 3
* Patient is able to gargle and spit 5 cc of saline
* Patients may be concurrently enrolled in other therapeutic or detection clinical trials

Exclusion Criteria:

* Prior completed therapy for an upper aerodigestive tract cancer within the past 3 years.
* Patient unable to gargle and spit 5 cc of saline, or anticipated to be unable to gargle and spit after completion of therapy
* Patient unable or does not intend to undergo curative therapy
* Patient with concurrent, second primary malignancy under active therapy or completed therapy within 2 years prior to enrollment.