Figure 2.

Epigenetic marks upon oral cancer. The evolution of oral cancer from a few altered cells to invasive phenotypes able to metastasize and populate secondary sites is the consequence of numerous factors that are interplaying their roles. Therefore, genetic events together with risk factors are combined with epigenetic mechanisms in order to ensure the proper environment for malignant development. All these factors gradually contribute to the organization of an unstable genome and also implicitly to the promotion of cancer advancement.