Diagnostic aids for detection of oral precancerous conditions

Abstract

A number of diagnostic techniques exist to ascertain whether a mouth lesion could become an oral cancer. In a review article, Diana V Messadi from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Dentistry, USA, details the known pathological conditions considered to be precancerous. These include leukoplakia and erythroplakia, both of which are marked by abnormally colored patches of cells on the mucous membrane that lines that inside of our cheeks, as well as the inflammatory diseases oral lichen planus and oral submucous fibrosis. Messadi also catalogues non-invasive screening tools such as dye systems, fluorescent technologies and cell-collection kits, all of which can catch signs of cancer before lesions turn malignant. She notes that early diagnosis is the most important predictor of patient outcome for anyone with oral cancer, requiring dentists to have adequate knowledge and training.

Keywords

early diagnosis / non-invasive detection tools / oral precancerous lesions

References

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