Active search screening for oral potentially malignant disorders and oral cancer in the city of Piracicaba

Abstract

Oral cancer is a public health problem worldwide with approximately 300,000 new cases diagnosed every year and more than 170,000 deaths annually. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) accounts for approximately 90% of all oral malignancies and it is frequently preceded by lesions known as oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs). Screening programs for early detection of oral lesions have been conducted. Therefore, the objective of this research was to carry out an active search in a screening program in the city of Piracicaba, Brazil. High-risk patients were identified at the city's health center through their medical records and referred for dental consultation. Other patients who opportunistically sought dental care were also seen and if they did not present risk factors for SCC, they were considered low-risk. A total of 756 patients were examined, and 445 met the criteria for the high-risk group and 311 for the low-risk group. It was possible to diagnose 27 OPMDs and six SCCs -21 OPMDs and six SCCs occurred in high-risk patients and six OPMDs in low-risk patients. A chi-square test was applied and a statistically significant value (p = 0.006) was obtained for the detection of OPMD and SCC in patients of the high-risk group. Screening of high-risk patients through active search proved to be an effective program for diagnosing OPMD and SCC. Therefore, we encourage its implementation on a large scale to reduce the current scenario of this disease.

Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders and Oral Cancer in Saudi Arabia: An Epidemiological Review of the Literature

“…Early diagnosis of OPMDs not only enables patient education and intervention but is also implemented in risk reduction as regards to the malignant transformation of these lesions [ 4 ]. Screening programmes have been shown to be an effective tool for early identification of OPMDs and oral malignancies [ 77 ], but can only be put into place with the backing of clear epidemiological data.…”

Oral squamous cell carcinomas and oral potentially malignant disorders: A Latin American study

“…There are many campaigns for early diagnosis of OPMD and OSCC throughout Latin America (e.g. Saca la lengua al cancer ) (Linares et al., 2023; Morelatto et al., 2022). These actions allow the early detection of OPMD and subsequently reduce the likelihood of s‐OSCC.…”