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

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 database...

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Main Authors: Tania Vanessa Pierfelice, Emira D’Amico, Chiara Cinquini, Giovanna Iezzi, Camillo D’Arcangelo, Simonetta D’Ercole, Morena Petrini
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-09-01
Series:Diagnostics
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/14/18/2033
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author Tania Vanessa Pierfelice
Emira D’Amico
Chiara Cinquini
Giovanna Iezzi
Camillo D’Arcangelo
Simonetta D’Ercole
Morena Petrini
author_facet Tania Vanessa Pierfelice
Emira D’Amico
Chiara Cinquini
Giovanna Iezzi
Camillo D’Arcangelo
Simonetta D’Ercole
Morena Petrini
author_sort Tania Vanessa Pierfelice
collection DOAJ
description 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.
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spelling doaj-art-e0c598ccd9e843628c232f8c4d37d5d92025-08-20T01:55:30ZengMDPI AGDiagnostics2075-44182024-09-011418203310.3390/diagnostics14182033The Diagnostic Potential of Non-Invasive Tools for Oral Cancer and Precancer: A Systematic ReviewTania Vanessa Pierfelice0Emira D’Amico1Chiara Cinquini2Giovanna Iezzi3Camillo D’Arcangelo4Simonetta D’Ercole5Morena Petrini6Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, University “G. d’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini 31, 66100 Chieti, ItalyDepartment of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, University “G. d’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini 31, 66100 Chieti, ItalyDepartment of Surgical, Medical, Molecular Pathologies and of the Critical Needs, School of Dentistry, University of Pisa, 56100 Pisa, ItalyDepartment of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, University “G. d’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini 31, 66100 Chieti, ItalyDepartment of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, University “G. d’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini 31, 66100 Chieti, ItalyDepartment of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, University “G. d’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini 31, 66100 Chieti, ItalyDepartment of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, University “G. d’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini 31, 66100 Chieti, ItalyObjectives: 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.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/14/18/2033non-invasive diagnostic toolsoral canceroral precancervital stainingoral brushlight-based technology
spellingShingle Tania Vanessa Pierfelice
Emira D’Amico
Chiara Cinquini
Giovanna Iezzi
Camillo D’Arcangelo
Simonetta D’Ercole
Morena Petrini
The Diagnostic Potential of Non-Invasive Tools for Oral Cancer and Precancer: A Systematic Review
Diagnostics
non-invasive diagnostic tools
oral cancer
oral precancer
vital staining
oral brush
light-based technology
title The Diagnostic Potential of Non-Invasive Tools for Oral Cancer and Precancer: A Systematic Review
title_full The Diagnostic Potential of Non-Invasive Tools for Oral Cancer and Precancer: A Systematic Review
title_fullStr The Diagnostic Potential of Non-Invasive Tools for Oral Cancer and Precancer: A Systematic Review
title_full_unstemmed The Diagnostic Potential of Non-Invasive Tools for Oral Cancer and Precancer: A Systematic Review
title_short The Diagnostic Potential of Non-Invasive Tools for Oral Cancer and Precancer: A Systematic Review
title_sort diagnostic potential of non invasive tools for oral cancer and precancer a systematic review
topic non-invasive diagnostic tools
oral cancer
oral precancer
vital staining
oral brush
light-based technology
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/14/18/2033
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