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Liquid-Based Oral Cytology and Microhistology

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Oral Cytology

Abstract

Nowadays, even if not yet extensively used, oral exfoliative cytology is a practical tool for early diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and potentially malignant lesions (OPML). “Special” techniques such as computer-assisted cytology, Oral CDx, DNA ploidy, immunocytochemistry, molecular analyses and microhistology have different uses as well as diagnostic and prognostic implications.

Liquid-based oral diagnostic cytology seems to have a higher efficacy and efficiency than conventional cytology. Liquid-based cytology has been demonstrated to be useful when diagnosing OSCC and OPML. Flow and/or image cytometry as well as immunocytochemistry are able to identify markers for the evolution/prediction of the OPML to OSCC. Molecular biology has the ability to detect the minimal residual clonal population of cancer cells in field cancerization and oral mucosal surgical margins. Microhistology is a reliable first level test in class II lesions to identify cases requiring further investigations and/or surgical (scalpel) biopsy.

Although conventional cytology helps in OSCC and OPML screening, liquid-based cytology gives better results, enhancing both sensitivity and specificity as well as providing material for further investigation. Sampling with the “curette technique” allows for the collection of “accidental” tissue fragments that may be used as microbiopsies and proved to be a useful first level test, with a good cost/benefit ratio, for the management of class II OPML.

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Acknowledgments

This study has been supported in part by MURST ex-60% “Università di Torino”, Ricerca Finalizzata Regione Piemonte and by a grant of the “Compagnia di San Paolo-Programma Oncologia”, Turin, Italy.

The authors also thank Mrs. Barbara Wade for her linguistic contribution.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors state that there are no personal relationships with other people or organizations that could have inappropriately influenced their work.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Pathology Section, University of Turin, via Santena 7, 10126, Torino, Italy

    Roberto Navone

  2. Anatomia Patologica, University of Turin, via Santena 7, 10126, Torino, Italy

    Roberto Navone

  3. Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, Oral Medicine and Oral Oncology Section, University of Turin, Regione Gonzole 10, 10043, Orbassano (Torino), Italy

    Monica Pentenero & Sergio Gandolfo

Authors
  1. Roberto Navone
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  2. Monica Pentenero
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  3. Sergio Gandolfo
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Roberto Navone .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Director, I-7, Sector - 39, Institute of Cytology and Preventive Onc, Noida - 201301, Allahabad, 211001, Uttar Pradesh, India

    Ravi Mehrotra

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Navone, R., Pentenero, M., Gandolfo, S. (2013). Liquid-Based Oral Cytology and Microhistology. In: Mehrotra, R. (eds) Oral Cytology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-5221-8_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-5221-8_7

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