Comparative Analysis of Different Staining Techniques for Diagnosing Oral Cancer in Tissue Sections

Background: Oral cancer remains a significant health concern, often diagnosed at advanced stages due to delayed and inadequate diagnostic approaches. Histological staining techniques play a pivotal role in early and accurate detection. This study aims to compare the efficacy of hematoxylin and eosin...

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Main Authors: George Jacob, Deena C. Thomas, Shiana Jo, Aswathy Kallaliel Vijayan, Amitha Mohan, Sonu M. Mohan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2025-06-01
Series:Journal of Pharmacy and Bioallied Sciences
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Online Access:https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/jpbs.jpbs_1951_24
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author George Jacob
Deena C. Thomas
Shiana Jo
Aswathy Kallaliel Vijayan
Amitha Mohan
Sonu M. Mohan
author_facet George Jacob
Deena C. Thomas
Shiana Jo
Aswathy Kallaliel Vijayan
Amitha Mohan
Sonu M. Mohan
author_sort George Jacob
collection DOAJ
description Background: Oral cancer remains a significant health concern, often diagnosed at advanced stages due to delayed and inadequate diagnostic approaches. Histological staining techniques play a pivotal role in early and accurate detection. This study aims to compare the efficacy of hematoxylin and eosin (H and E), Periodic Acid-Schiff (PAS), and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining methods in identifying oral cancer in tissue sections. Materials and Methods: A total of 60 tissue samples were collected from patients with clinically and histologically confirmed oral cancer. These samples were divided into three groups, each stained with H and E, PAS, and IHC markers (p53 and Ki-67), respectively. The stained sections were evaluated for cellular morphology, nuclear detail, and differentiation grade by three independent pathologists. Quantitative and qualitative assessments were performed using a scoring system based on sensitivity, specificity, and overall diagnostic accuracy. Results: H and E staining demonstrated a diagnostic accuracy of 85%, effectively identifying cellular morphology but lacking specificity for poorly differentiated carcinoma. PAS staining showed moderate diagnostic value, with 78% accuracy, primarily highlighting glycogen and mucopolysaccharides in tumor cells. IHC staining yielded the highest diagnostic accuracy at 93%, offering detailed nuclear and cytoplasmic features and aiding in identifying specific biomarkers (P < 0.05). Interobserver agreement was highest for IHC staining (κ = 0.92). Conclusion: IHC staining proved to be the most reliable method for diagnosing oral cancer, with superior sensitivity and specificity compared to H and E and PAS techniques. The integration of IHC into routine diagnostic workflows can enhance early detection and improve treatment outcomes.
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spelling doaj-art-813b93f9754d45eea18610bffb9c723a2025-08-20T03:31:31ZengWolters Kluwer Medknow PublicationsJournal of Pharmacy and Bioallied Sciences0976-48790975-74062025-06-0117Suppl 2S1310S131210.4103/jpbs.jpbs_1951_24Comparative Analysis of Different Staining Techniques for Diagnosing Oral Cancer in Tissue SectionsGeorge JacobDeena C. ThomasShiana JoAswathy Kallaliel VijayanAmitha MohanSonu M. MohanBackground: Oral cancer remains a significant health concern, often diagnosed at advanced stages due to delayed and inadequate diagnostic approaches. Histological staining techniques play a pivotal role in early and accurate detection. This study aims to compare the efficacy of hematoxylin and eosin (H and E), Periodic Acid-Schiff (PAS), and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining methods in identifying oral cancer in tissue sections. Materials and Methods: A total of 60 tissue samples were collected from patients with clinically and histologically confirmed oral cancer. These samples were divided into three groups, each stained with H and E, PAS, and IHC markers (p53 and Ki-67), respectively. The stained sections were evaluated for cellular morphology, nuclear detail, and differentiation grade by three independent pathologists. Quantitative and qualitative assessments were performed using a scoring system based on sensitivity, specificity, and overall diagnostic accuracy. Results: H and E staining demonstrated a diagnostic accuracy of 85%, effectively identifying cellular morphology but lacking specificity for poorly differentiated carcinoma. PAS staining showed moderate diagnostic value, with 78% accuracy, primarily highlighting glycogen and mucopolysaccharides in tumor cells. IHC staining yielded the highest diagnostic accuracy at 93%, offering detailed nuclear and cytoplasmic features and aiding in identifying specific biomarkers (P < 0.05). Interobserver agreement was highest for IHC staining (κ = 0.92). Conclusion: IHC staining proved to be the most reliable method for diagnosing oral cancer, with superior sensitivity and specificity compared to H and E and PAS techniques. The integration of IHC into routine diagnostic workflows can enhance early detection and improve treatment outcomes.https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/jpbs.jpbs_1951_24diagnostic techniqueshematoxylin and eosinhistological stainingimmunohistochemistryoral cancerperiodic acid-schiff
spellingShingle George Jacob
Deena C. Thomas
Shiana Jo
Aswathy Kallaliel Vijayan
Amitha Mohan
Sonu M. Mohan
Comparative Analysis of Different Staining Techniques for Diagnosing Oral Cancer in Tissue Sections
Journal of Pharmacy and Bioallied Sciences
diagnostic techniques
hematoxylin and eosin
histological staining
immunohistochemistry
oral cancer
periodic acid-schiff
title Comparative Analysis of Different Staining Techniques for Diagnosing Oral Cancer in Tissue Sections
title_full Comparative Analysis of Different Staining Techniques for Diagnosing Oral Cancer in Tissue Sections
title_fullStr Comparative Analysis of Different Staining Techniques for Diagnosing Oral Cancer in Tissue Sections
title_full_unstemmed Comparative Analysis of Different Staining Techniques for Diagnosing Oral Cancer in Tissue Sections
title_short Comparative Analysis of Different Staining Techniques for Diagnosing Oral Cancer in Tissue Sections
title_sort comparative analysis of different staining techniques for diagnosing oral cancer in tissue sections
topic diagnostic techniques
hematoxylin and eosin
histological staining
immunohistochemistry
oral cancer
periodic acid-schiff
url https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/jpbs.jpbs_1951_24
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AT aswathykallalielvijayan comparativeanalysisofdifferentstainingtechniquesfordiagnosingoralcancerintissuesections
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