Understanding the complex pathogenesis of oral cancer: A comprehensive review

The pathogenesis of oral cancer is a complex and multifactorial process that requires a deep understanding of the underlying mechanisms involved in the development and progress of malignancy. The ever-improving comprehension of the diverse molecular characteristics of cancer, the genetic and epigenetic alterations of tumor cells, and the complex signaling pathways that are activated and frequently cross talk open up promising horizons for the discovery and application of diagnostic molecular markers and set the basis for an era of individualized management of the molecular defects underlying and governing oral premalignancy and cancer. The purpose of this article is to review the key molecular concepts that are implicated in oral carcinogenesis, especially focusing on oral squamous cell carcinoma, and to review selected biomarkers that play a substantial role in controlling the so-called "hallmarks of cancer," with special reference to recent advances that shed light on their deregulation during the different steps of oral cancer development and progression.