Molecular basis of oral cancer

In this article we try to analyze the current knowledge on the molecular basis of the carcinogenesis and their application in the oral cancer. Molecular Biology, has contributed in a great manner, with the etiology of cancer, because it has allowed to explain the genetic mechanisms by which a cell becomes and acquires a malignant phenotype. In the chromosome of a cell exist genes (protooncogenes), that promote phenomes of growth, maturation and normal cellular proliferation. Sometimes, these protooncogenes can suffer mutations that cause an alteration in their normal function. These genes are called oncogenes. We described the most important protein products of oncogenes, as well as, the tumor-suppressor genes, with special attention in the p53 gene.