Screening Aids for Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

ABSTRACT

Oral cancer is the sixth most common cancer seen worldwide out of which squamous cell carcinoma accounts for 94% of oral cancer. Squamous cell carcinoma is found to be a more prevalent in south Asia because of habits like betel quid, tobacco chewing, and areca nut. Th ese along with alcohol are considered as the major risk factors. Th e mutagenic eff ects produced by these are dose and duration dependent. Some cases of squamous cell carcinoma were found in persons without habits. Early detection of oral cancer is the key factor which helps in the faster treatment and improves the survival rate of patients. A brush biopsy is the simple and inexpensive cytological technique in which an OralCDx Brush is used to collect the cells by scrubbing the mucosal site followed by spreading the sample into the glass slide which is then stained. Veloscope is a device which measures the alteration of autofl uorescence of the oral mucosa. Th e patients, in many cases, may be unaware initially as many of these lesions are asymptomatic during the initial stages and might be fi rst detected by a dentist. Th us, proper knowledge on the clinical features and eff ective use of the screening aids are essential to produce the best possible long-term outcome.