Which of the following is NOT characteristic of carcinoma of the mouth?

Carcinoma of the mouth typically presents with a variety of characteristics that can be used to identify it. Among these, elevation, fixation, and invasion are common features.

Elevation refers to the raised appearance of a lesion, which can occur in carcinoma as it grows and expands. Fixation indicates that the tumor is attached to underlying tissues, making it less mobile and more invasive than benign growths. Invasion is a critical characteristic of malignant tumors, including carcinomas, as they penetrate surrounding tissues.

While pain can be associated with oral carcinomas, especially in advanced stages, it is not a defining characteristic of these tumors. Pain is subjective and varies greatly among individuals; some tumors may present without significant discomfort in the early stages, making it less reliable as a characteristic compared to the other options listed. This variability in pain perception and presentation helps clarify why it is not regarded as a definitive characteristic of carcinoma of the mouth.