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Oral Cancer and Precancer: A Narrative Review on the Relevance of Early Diagnosis

Author

Listed:
  • Silvio Abati

    (Dentistry and Stomatology-IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, University Vita-Salute, 20132 Milano, Italy
    School of Medicine, University Vita-Salute, 20132 Milano, Italy)

  • Chiara Bramati

    (School of Medicine, University Vita-Salute, 20132 Milano, Italy
    Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery Department, San Raffaele Hospital, University Vita-Salute, 20132 Milano, Italy)

  • Stefano Bondi

    (Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery Department, San Raffaele Hospital, University Vita-Salute, 20132 Milano, Italy)

  • Alessandra Lissoni

    (Dentistry and Stomatology-IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, University Vita-Salute, 20132 Milano, Italy)

  • Matteo Trimarchi

    (School of Medicine, University Vita-Salute, 20132 Milano, Italy
    Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery Department, San Raffaele Hospital, University Vita-Salute, 20132 Milano, Italy)

Abstract

Oral cancer (OC) is an uncommon malignancy in Western countries, being one of the most common cancers in some high-risk areas of the world. It is a largely preventable cancer, since most of the different risk factors identified, such as tobacco use, alcohol consumption, and betel nut chewing, are behaviors that increase the likelihood of the disease. Given its high mortality, early diagnosis is of utmost importance. Prevention and the anticipation of diagnosis begin with identification of potentially malignant lesions of the oral mucosa and with local conditions promoting chronic inflammation. Therefore, every lesion must be recognized promptly and treated adequately. The clinical recognition and evaluation of oral mucosal lesions can detect up to 99% of oral cancers/premalignancies. As stated by the World Health Organization, any suspicious lesion that does not subside within two weeks from detection and removal of local causes of irritation must be biopsied. Surgical biopsy remains the gold standard for diagnosis of oral cancer. Adjunctive tools have been developed and studied to help clinicians in the diagnostic pathway, such as toluidine blue vital staining and autofluorescence imaging. In the near future other methods, i.e., identification of salivary markers of progression may help in reducing mortality due to oral cancer.

Suggested Citation

  • Silvio Abati & Chiara Bramati & Stefano Bondi & Alessandra Lissoni & Matteo Trimarchi, 2020. "Oral Cancer and Precancer: A Narrative Review on the Relevance of Early Diagnosis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(24), pages 1-14, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:24:p:9160-:d:458710
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Oscar Toralla & Pia Lopez Jornet & Eduardo Pons-Fuster, 2022. "The Effect of an Informative Video upon Anxiety and Stress in Patients Requiring an Oral Biopsy: A Randomized Controlled Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(2), pages 1-11, January.
    2. Shih-Wei Yang & Yun-Shien Lee & Pei-Wen Wu & Liang-Che Chang & Cheng-Cheng Hwang, 2021. "A Retrospective Cohort Study of Oral Leukoplakia in Female Patients—Analysis of Risk Factors Related to Treatment Outcomes," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-17, August.
    3. Yuki Taguchi & Shigeaki Toratani & Kensaku Matsui & Seiya Hayashi & Natsuki Eboshida & Atsuko Hamada & Nanako Ito & Fumitaka Obayashi & Naohiro Kimura & Souichi Yanamoto, 2022. "Evaluation of Oral Mucosal Lesions Using the IllumiScan ® Fluorescence Visualisation Device: Distinguishing Squamous Cell Carcinoma," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(16), pages 1-10, August.
    4. Anca Maria Pop & Raluca Coroș & Alexandra Mihaela Stoica & Monica Monea, 2021. "Early Diagnosis of Oral Mucosal Alterations in Smokers and E-Cigarette Users Based on Micronuclei Count: A Cross-Sectional Study among Dental Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(24), pages 1-10, December.
    5. Nico Roeschmann & Andrea Rau & Marco R. Kesting & Eva Maier & Mayte Buchbender, 2022. "A Prospective Comparative Analysis Regarding the Assessment of Oral Mucosal Disease Using a Validated Questionnaire to Improve the Teaching of Dental Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-12, August.
    6. repec:eur:ejnmjr:72 is not listed on IDEAS

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