A recent study showed that tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), secreted by oral cancer cells, can affect other cell types in the tumor microenvironment, such as increasing the infiltration of immune cells (like T cells), sensitizing trigeminal lingual afferent neurons to enhance the transmission of pain signals, and driving the release of inflammatory mediators, which increases the intensity and duration of cancer pain [23]. The gene discussed is TNF; the disease is lip and oral cavity carcinoma.