Role of Early Biopsy in the Diagnosis of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48165/ajm.2026.9.01.30Keywords:
biopsy, diagnosis, squamous, carcinoma, suspiciousAbstract
Aim:The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of early biopsy in the diagnosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and to assess its importance in the early detection of suspicious oral lesions. Methodology:This retrospective descriptive study included 120 patients who presented with clinically suspicious oral lesions and underwent biopsy for histopathological evaluation. Clinical records were obtained from the departmental archives of Oral Medicine and Radiology / Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology. Data regarding patient demographics, lesion site, clinical presentation, and associated risk factors were collected. Biopsy specimens were processed using routine hematoxylin and eosin staining and examined microscopically to establish the final diagnosis. Results:Out of 120 patients, the majority were males (76) and most cases were observed in the 41–60 years age group. The buccal mucosa (30%) was the most commonly affected site followed by the tongue (23.3%). Non-healing ulcers (33.3%) were the most frequent clinical presentation. Histopathological examination confirmed oral squamous cell carcinoma in 88 cases, with well-differentiated OSCC being the most common type (38.3%). Tobacco chewing (43.3%) was identified as the most prevalent risk factor among the patients. Conclusion:Early biopsy plays a crucial role in the definitive diagnosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma. Timely histopathological evaluation of suspicious oral lesions facilitates early detection, accurate diagnosis, and prompt treatment planning. Early biopsy can significantly improve prognosis and contribute to better clinical outcomes in patients with oral cancer.
Downloads
References
Carreras-Torras, C., & Gay-Escoda, C. (2015). Techniques for early diagnosis of oral cancer: VELscope and autofluorescence. Medicina Oral, Patología Oral y Cirugía Bucal, 20(3), e305–e315. https://doi.org/10.4317/medoral.20347
Jayanthi, J. L., & Subhashini, J. (2009). Role of lasers in early detection of oral malignancies. Lasers in Surgery and Medicine, 41(5), 345–352. https://doi.org/10.1002/lsm.20771
Huang, Z., Chen, Q., Shakil, A., et al. (2005). In vivo optical spectroscopy for diagnosis of oral neoplasia. Photochemistry and Photobiology, 81(5), 1219–1226. https://doi.org/10.1562/2005-02-24-RA-449
Diagaradjane, P., Yaseen, M. A., Yu, J., Wong, M. S., & Anvari, B. (2005). In vivo fluorescence imaging for early detection of oral cancer. Lasers in Surgery and Medicine, 37(5), 382–395. https://doi.org/10.1002/lsm.20248
Maia, A. M., Barkokebas, A., Pires, A. P., Barros, L. F., Carvalho, A. A., & Leão, J. C. (2008). Evaluation of oral lesions using autofluorescence. Minerva Stomatologica, 57(10), 511–517.
Borkar, S., Reche, A., Paul, P., Deshpande, A., & Deshpande, M. (2023). Application of autofluorescence in early detection of oral lesions. Cureus, 15(9), e46300. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.46300
Supawat, B., Aye, K. T., Ritpanja, J., Nueangwong, W., Kothan, S., Pan, J., & Tungjai, M. (2021). Fluorescence spectroscopy for oral cancer detection. Journal of Fluorescence, 31(3), 747–754. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10895-021-02707-2
Mishra, R. (2012). Autofluorescence and its applications in oral oncology. Oral Oncology, 48(7), 578–584. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oraloncology.2012.01.017
Liao, L. J., Hsu, Y. H., Yu, C. H., Chiang, C. P., Jhan, J. R., Chang, L. C., Lin, J. J., & Lou, P. J. (2011). Clinical evaluation of autofluorescence in oral cancer detection. Head & Neck, 33(5), 719–726. https://doi.org/10.1002/hed.21531
Epstein, J. B., Zhang, L., & Rosin, M. (2002). Advances in the diagnosis of oral premalignant and malignant lesions. Journal of the Canadian Dental Association, 68(10), 617–621.
Kossatz, S., Brand, C., Gutiontov, S., Liu, J. T., Lee, N. Y., Gönen, M., Weber, W. A., & Reiner, T. (2016). Fluorescence imaging in cancer detection and surgery. Scientific Reports, 6, 21371. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep21371
Yen, C. Y., Liang, S. S., Han, L. Y., Chou, H. L., Chou, C. K., Lin, S. R., & Chiu, C. C. (2013). Molecular markers in oral cancer detection. The Scientific World Journal, 2013, 650946. https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/650946
Lu, H., Wu, B., Ma, G., Zheng, D., Song, R., Huang, E., Mao, M., & Lu, B. (2017). Biomarkers for early detection of oral cancer. American Journal of Translational Research, 9(12), 5361–5374.
Monea, M., & Pop, A. M. (2022). Current trends in oral cancer diagnosis and biomarkers. Current Issues in Molecular Biology, 44(12), 6306–6322. https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb44120430
Pallagatti, S., Sheikh, S., Puri, N., Gupta, D., & Singh, B. (2011). Role of autofluorescence in oral cancer screening. Indian Journal of Dental Research, 22(6), 810–815. https://doi.org/10.4103/0970-9290.94676
Cruz, I. B., Snijders, P. J., Meijer, C. J., Braakhuis, B. J., Snow, G. B., Walboomers, J. M., & van der Waal, I. (1998). Genetic alterations in oral cancer development. The Journal of Pathology, 184(4), 360–368. https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1096-9896(199804)184:4
<360::AID-PATH1263>3.0.CO;2-H
Pandey, M., Prakash, O., Santhi, W. S., Soumithran, C. S., & Pillai, R. M. (2008). Risk factors for oral cancer in India. International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 37(4), 379–383. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijom.2008.01.004
Elango, K. J., Anandkrishnan, N., Suresh, A., Iyer, S. K., Ramaiyer, S. K., & Kuriakose, M. A. (2011). Tobacco use and oral cancer risk. Oral Oncology, 47(7), 620–624. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oraloncology.2011.05.001
Lin, C. Y., Hung, H. C., Kuo, R. C., Chiang, C. P., & Kuo, M. Y. (2005). Genetic and molecular basis of oral carcinogenesis. Oral Oncology, 41(6), 645–654. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oraloncology.2005.02.009
