The Diagnostic Potential of Non-Invasive Tools for Oral Cancer and Precancer: A Systematic Review

Tania Vanessa Pierfelice; Emira D’Amico; Chiara Cinquini; Giovanna Iezzi; Camillo D’Arcangelo; Simonetta D’Ercole; Morena Petrini

doi:10.3390/diagnostics14182033

Diagnostics (Sep 2024)

The Diagnostic Potential of Non-Invasive Tools for Oral Cancer and Precancer: A Systematic Review

Tania Vanessa Pierfelice,
Emira D’Amico,
Chiara Cinquini,
Giovanna Iezzi,
Camillo D’Arcangelo,
Simonetta D’Ercole,
Morena Petrini

Affiliations

Tania Vanessa Pierfelice: Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, University “G. d’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini 31, 66100 Chieti, Italy
Emira D’Amico: Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, University “G. d’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini 31, 66100 Chieti, Italy
Chiara Cinquini: Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular Pathologies and of the Critical Needs, School of Dentistry, University of Pisa, 56100 Pisa, Italy
Giovanna Iezzi: Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, University “G. d’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini 31, 66100 Chieti, Italy
Camillo D’Arcangelo: Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, University “G. d’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini 31, 66100 Chieti, Italy
Simonetta D’Ercole: Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, University “G. d’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini 31, 66100 Chieti, Italy
Morena Petrini: Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, University “G. d’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini 31, 66100 Chieti, Italy

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics14182033
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 14, no. 18
p. 2033

Abstract

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Objectives: This systematic review aimed to analyse the published evidence for the use of non-invasive methods for the early detection of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs). Methods: The literature was systematically searched through several databases: PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science. Additional exploration was performed through cross-checks on the bibliographies of selected reviews. The inclusion criteria involved studies assessing the application of non-invasive tests on humans in the screening, diagnosis, or surveillance of OSCC or OPMDs and reporting sensitivity (SE) and specificity (SP). The Newcastle–Ottawa scale (NOS) was applied to assess the quality of the studies included. Results: The search strategy resulted in 8012 preliminary records. After a duplicate check, 116 titles remained. After abstract analysis, 70 papers remained. After full text analysis, only 54 of the 70 papers fit the inclusion criteria (28 were original articles and 26 were reviews). Those 26 reviews were used to manually search for further original articles. From this last search, 33 original articles were found. Thus, a total of 61 original studies were included and investigated. Findings from this systematic review indicate useful information, such as a description of the mechanisms, ease of use, limitations, and SE and SP values, to drive the choice of the optimal minimally invasive method to be utilized as an adjunctive tool to examine the suspicious lesions. Conclusions: Each of the analysed tools can be improved or implemented, considering their high SE and low SP. Despite advancements, incisional biopsy continues to be the gold standard for the definitive diagnosis of oral cancer and precancerous lesions. Further research and development are essential to improving the sensitivity, specificity, and reliability of non-invasive tools for widespread clinical application.

Published in Diagnostics

ISSN: 2075-4418 (Online)
Publisher: MDPI AG
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Medicine: Medicine (General)
Website: http://www.mdpi.com/journal/diagnostics

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