The early lesions are usually asymptomatic. The patients presenting with an advanced stage of the disease comprises around 66-77% of the cases.

The most important signs include a lump in the neck when palpated and weight loss.

People may also present with fatigue as a symptom.

The primary tumor does not have readily discernible signs or symptoms as they grow within the tonsillar capsule. It is difficult to notice anything suspicious on examination of the tonsil other than slight enlargement or the development of firmness around the area.

The carcinoma may occur in one or more sites deep within the tonsillar crypts. It may be accompanied by the enlargement of the tonsil. The affected tonsil grows into the oropharyngeal space making it noticeable by the patient in the form of a neck mass mostly in the jugulodiagastric region.

As the tonsils consist of a rich network of lymphatics, the carcinoma may metastasise to the neck lymph nodes which many are cystic.

Extension of tumor to skull or mediastinum can occur.

The additional symptoms include a painful throat, dysphagia, otalgia (due to cranial nerve involvement), foreign body sensation, bleeding, fixation of tongue (infiltration of deep muscles) and trismus (if the pterygoid muscle is involved in the parapharyngeal space).

On the other hand, the tumor may also present as a deep red or white fungating wound growing outwards, breaking the skin surface with a central ulceration. This wound-like ulcer fails to heal (non-healing) leading to bleeding and throat pain and other associated symptoms.

During biopsy, the lesion may show three signs: Gritty texture, Firmness and cystification owing to keratinization, fribrosis and necrosis respectively.

Cervical lymphydenopathy may be present.

Most bladder cancer is transitional cell, but bladder cancer associated with Schistosomiasis is often squamous cell carcinoma.

Esophageal cancer may be due to either squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) or adenocarcinoma (EAC). SCCs tend to occur closer to the mouth, while adenocarcinomas occur closer to the stomach. Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing, solids worse than liquids) and painful swallowing are common initial symptoms. If the disease is localized, surgical removal of the affected esophagus may offer the possibility of a cure. If the disease has spread, chemotherapy and radiotherapy are commonly used.

Polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma, often abbreviated PLGA, is a rare, asymptomatic, slow-growing malignant salivary gland tumor. It is most commonly found in the palate.

The name of the tumor derives from the fact that:

- It has a varied microscopic architectural appearance, i.e. it is "polymorphous".

- It is non-aggressive when compared to other oral cavity tumors, i.e. it is a "low-grade" tumor.

- It forms glands, i.e. it is an "adenocarcinoma".

It affects the minor salivary glands in the area between the hard and the soft palate. Male to female ratio is 3:1, and the average age is 56 years.

Presents as painless, slow-growing mass that is firm or hard. Most appear clinically as mixed tumors.

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma is the most common type of minor salivary gland malignancy in adults. Mucoepidermoid carcinoma can also be found in other organs, such as bronchi, lacrimal sac and thyroid.

Mucicarmine staining is one stain used by pathologist for detection.

PLGAs consist of a monomorphous cell population that has a varied histologic morphology.

Microscopically, its histology can be confused with an adenoid cystic carcinoma and a pleomorphic adenoma.

Basophilic, bland cells similar to acinar cells. Growth pattern: solid - acinar cells, microcytic - small systic spaces mucinous or eosinophilic, papillary-cystic - large cystic lined by epithelium, follicular - similar to thyroid tissue.

These tumors which resemble serous acinar cells vary in their behavior from locally aggressive to blatantly malignant.

It can also appear in the breast. The pancreatic form of acinic cell carcinoma is a rare subtype of exocrine pancreatic cancer. Exocrine pancreatic cancers are the most common form of pancreatic cancer when compared to endocrine pancreatic cancer.

Acinic cell carcinomas arise most frequently in the parotid gland. Other sites of primary tumors have included the submandibular gland and other major and minor salivary glands. There have been rare cases of primary tumors involving the parapharyngeal space and the sublingual gland.

Acinic cell carcinoma appears in all age groups, but presents at a younger median age (approx. 52 years) than most other salivary gland cancers. Occurrences in children are quite common.

Carcinoma of the tonsil is a type of squamous cell carcinoma. The tonsil is the most common site of squamous cell carcinoma in the oropharynx. The tumors frequently present at advanced stages, and around 70% of patients present with metastasis to the cervical lymph nodes.

The most common site for the incidence of the tumor is: the lateral wall of oropharynx 45%; base of the tongue 40%; posterior wall 10% and soft palate 5%. The most reported complaints include sore throat, otalgia or dysphagia. Some patients may complain of feeling the presence of a lump in the throat. Approximately 20% patients present with a node in the neck as the only symptom.

Main risk factors of developing carcinoma tonsil include tobacco smoking and regular intake of high amount of alcohol. It has also been linked to a virus called Human Papilloma Virus (HPV type HPV16). Other risk factors include poor maintenance of oral hygiene, a genetic predisposition leading to inclination towards development of throat cancer, immunocompromised states (such as post solid-organ transplant), and chronic exposure to agents such as asbestos and perchloroethylene in certain occupations, radiation therapy and dietary factors.

Swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck is the initial presentation in many people, and the diagnosis of NPC is often made by lymph node biopsy. Signs and symptoms related to the primary tumor include trismus, pain, otitis media, nasal regurgitation due to paresis (loss of or impaired movement) of the soft palate, hearing loss and cranial nerve palsy (paralysis). Larger growths may produce nasal obstruction or bleeding and a "nasal twang". Metastatic spread may result in bone pain or organ dysfunction. Rarely, a paraneoplastic syndrome of osteoarthropathy (diseases of joints and bones) may occur with widespread disease.

Some or all of the following may be seen in someone with Gorlin syndrome:

1. Multiple basal-cell carcinomas of the skin

2. Keratocystic odontogenic tumor: Seen in 75% of patients and is the most common finding. There are usually multiple lesions found in the mandible. They occur at a young age (19 yrs average).

3. Rib and vertebrae anomalies

4. Intracranial calcification

5. Skeletal abnormalities: bifid ribs, kyphoscoliosis, early calcification of falx cerebri (diagnosed with AP radiograph)

6. Distinct faces: frontal and temporoparietal bossing, hypertelorism, and mandibular prognathism

7. Bilateral ovarian fibromas

8. 10% develop cardiac fibromas

Granular cell tumor is a tumor that can develop on any skin or mucosal surface, but occurs on the tongue 40% of the time.

It is also known as Abrikossoff's tumor, Granular cell myoblastoma, Granular cell nerve sheath tumor, and Granular cell schwannoma.)

Hyalinizing clear cell carcinoma, abbreviated HCCC, is a rare malignant salivary gland tumour, with a good prognosis, that is usually found on the tongue or palate.

Granular cell tumors show similarity to neural tissue, as can be demonstrated by immunohistochemistry and ultrastructural evidence using electron microscopy.

Multiple granular cell tumors may seen in the context of "LEOPARD syndrome", due to a mutation in the "PTPN11 gene".

These tumors on occasion may appear similar to neoplasms of renal (relating to the kidneys) origin or other soft tissue neoplasms.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma, commonly known as nasopharyngeal cancer, is classified as a malignant neoplasm, or cancer, arising from the mucosal epithelium of the nasopharynx, most often within the "lateral nasopharyngeal recess" or "fossa of Rosenmüller" (a recess behind the entrance of the eustachian tube opening). The World Health Organization classifies nasopharyngeal carcinoma in three types. Type 1 (I) is keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma. Type 2a (II) is non-keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma. Type 2b (III) is undifferentiated carcinoma. Type 2b (III) nonkeratinizing undifferentiated form also known as lymphoepithelioma is most common, and is most strongly associated with Epstein-Barr virus infection of the cancerous cells.

Throat cancer usually begins with symptoms that seem harmless enough, like an enlarged lymph node on the outside of the neck, a sore throat or a hoarse sounding voice. However, in the case of throat cancer, these conditions may persist and become chronic. There may be a lump or a sore in the throat or neck that does not heal or go away. There may be difficult or painful swallowing. Speaking may become difficult. There may be a persistent earache. Other possible but less common symptoms include some numbness or paralysis of the face muscles.

Presenting symptoms include :

- Mass in the neck

- Neck pain

- Bleeding from the mouth

- Sinus congestion, especially with nasopharyngeal carcinoma

- Bad breath

- Sore tongue

- Painless ulcer or sores in the mouth that do not heal

- White, red or dark patches in the mouth that will not go away

- Earache

- Unusual bleeding or numbness in the mouth

- Lump in the lip, mouth or gums

- Enlarged lymph glands in the neck

- Slurring of speech (if the cancer is affecting the tongue)

- Hoarse voice which persists for more than six weeks

- Sore throat which persists for more than six weeks

- Difficulty swallowing food

- Change in diet or weight loss

Mutations in the human homologue of Drosophila patched(PTCH1), a tumor suppressor gene on chromosome 9, were identified as the underlying genetic event in this syndrome.

Neuroendocrine carcinoma affects many different parts of the body.

In the cervix, it is a rare, but very aggressive form of cervical cancer. In its early stages, neuroendocrine carcinoma is asymptomatic (not showing or producing indications of a disease or other medical condition). In more advanced stages, symptoms of Neuroendocrine carcinoma of the cervix are: abnormal vaginal bleeding, increased vaginal discharge, and pelvic pain, painful urination, pain during sex, tiredness, leg swelling, and backache. When left untreated, metastasis or even death may occur.

Pleomorphic adenoma is a common benign salivary gland neoplasm characterised by neoplastic proliferation of parenchymatous glandular cells along with myoepithelial components, having a malignant potentiality. It is the most common type of salivary gland tumor and the most common tumor of the parotid gland. It derives its name from the architectural Pleomorphism (variable appearance) seen by light microscopy. It is also known as "Mixed tumor, salivary gland type", which describes its pleomorphic appearance as opposed to its dual origin from epithelial and myoepithelial elements.

Squamous cell cancers are common in the mouth, including the inner lip, tongue, floor of mouth, gingivae, and hard palate. Cancers of the mouth are strongly associated with tobacco use, especially use of chewing tobacco or "dip", as well as heavy alcohol use. Cancers of this region, particularly the tongue, are more frequently treated with surgery than are other head and neck cancers.

Surgeries for oral cancers include

- Maxillectomy (can be done with or without orbital exenteration)

- Mandibulectomy (removal of the mandible or lower jaw or part of it)

- Glossectomy (tongue removal, can be total, hemi or partial)

- Radical neck dissection

- Mohs procedure

- Combinational e.g., glossectomy and laryngectomy done together.

The defect is typically covered/improved by using another part of the body and/or skin grafts and/or wearing a prosthesis.

Mammary analogue secretory carcinoma (MASC) (also termed MASC; the "SG" subscript indicates salivary gland)) is a salivary gland neoplasm that shares a genetic mutation with certain types of breast cancer. MASC was first described by Skálová et al. in 2010. The authors of this report found a chromosome translocation in certain salivary gland tumors that was identical to the (12;15)(p13;q25) fusion gene mutation found previously in secretory carcinoma, a subtype of invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast.

Warty dyskeratoma must be differentiated from vulvar dysplasia, Bowenoid papulosis, squamous carcinoma, condyloma, and other viral-induced squamous lesions.

The tumor is usually solitary and presents as a slow growing, painless, firm single nodular mass. Isolated nodules are generally outgrowths of the main nodule rather than a multinodular presentation. It is usually mobile unless found in the palate and can cause atrophy of the mandibular ramus when located in the parotid gland. When found in the parotid tail, it may present as an eversion of the ear lobe. Though it is classified as a benign tumor, pleomorphic adenomas have the capacity to grow to large proportions and may undergo malignant transformation, to form carcinoma ex-pleomorphic adenoma, a risk that increases with time (9.5% chance to convert into malignancy in 15 years). Although it is "benign" the tumor is aneuploid, it can recur after resection, it invades normal adjacent tissue and distant metastases have been reported after long (+10 years) time intervals.

SCC of the skin begins as a small nodule and as it enlarges the center becomes necrotic and sloughs and the nodule turns into an ulcer.

- The lesion caused by SCC is often asymptomatic

- Ulcer or reddish skin plaque that is slow growing

- Intermittent bleeding from the tumor, especially on the lip

- The clinical appearance is highly variable

- Usually the tumor presents as an ulcerated lesion with hard, raised edges

- The tumor may be in the form of a hard plaque or a papule, often with an opalescent quality, with tiny blood vessels

- The tumor can lie below the level of the surrounding skin, and eventually ulcerates and invades the underlying tissue

- The tumor commonly presents on sun-exposed areas (e.g. back of the hand, scalp, lip, and superior surface of pinna)

- On the lip, the tumor forms a small ulcer, which fails to heal and bleeds intermittently

- Evidence of chronic skin photodamage, such as multiple actinic keratoses (solar keratoses)

- The tumor grows relatively slowly