Oral squamous cell carcinoma, coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). Oral squamous cell carcinoma is the most common type of mouth cancer comprising 9 out of 10 cases. Oral cancer is where a tumour forms and develops in the lining of the mouth. It my be found on the surface of the tongue, insides of the cheeks, roof of the mouth, the lips or the gums. Tumours may also develop in the salivary glands, tonsils or pharynx although these are less common. With early diagnosis a complete cure is often possible using surgery alone. Approximately 60 per cent of people with mouth cancer live for 5 years with many living much longer with no return of the cancer. This image shows a single cancerous oral squamous cell that is surrounded by a collagen matrix. The cell has been freeze fractured by plunging it into liquid nitrogen causing the cell to fracture open exposing the surface of the nucleus of the cell which can be seen here as a deep pink/dark orange protrusion. Magnification: x4000 when printed at 10cm wide.