ABSTRACT
AIM: To evaluate the application of cytogenetic techniques in determining the diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutics in oral cancer. BACKGROUND: Genetic aberrations that play an important role in oral oncogenesis demand substantial research for in-depth characterization of the tumor. Cytogenetic techniques have the potential to detect these aberrations. This review highlights about various cytogenetic approaches in cancer and how these findings support its application in the field of oral oncology. METHODS: Google scholar search was done for articles on cancer cytogenetics, and in particular, PubMed database was queried for articles published from 2015 to 2020 using keywords cytogenetics, chromosomal aberrations, conventional cytogenetics, karyotyping, banding techniques, molecular cytogenetics, fluorescent in situ hybridization, spectral karyotyping, comparative genomic hybridization, multiplex ligation probe analysis, and next-generation sequencing (NGS) in oral cancer. Abstracts were reviewed, and relevant full text was accessed to extract the cytogenetic findings in oral cancer. RESULTS: Data regarding various cytogenetic approaches from conventional to molecular techniques have been published in oral cancer. They convey a highly complex cytogenetic finding from gross chromosomal aberrations to specific gene mutations in oral cancer. CONCLUSION: Crucial information in the development and progression of oral cancer is achieved through cytogenetic findings in particular with the molecular cytogenetic techniques. Novel technologies like NGS have emerged in recent years that hold promise in the detection of these alterations more efficiently. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: An appraisal of cytogenetic analysis in oral cancer helps to determine the diagnosis and the most important prognosticators. It assists in building targeted therapies for patient benefit.
