New method to test for oral cancer found

A team of researchers, led by a clinician scientist at the Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine, has discovered a noninvasive, low-cost test to detect oral cancer, monitor precancerous lesions and figure out when a biopsy is needed.

Their findings are based on a scoring system linked to the levels of two proteins in cells brushed from suspicious oral lesions at the university’s dental clinics.

One of the proteins is expressed at high levels in early-stage oral cancer, while the second is low or unchanged.

Head and neck cancer, of which oral cancer is about 90%, is the seventh-most prevalent malignancy in the world, according to the study. 

Full story: Science Daily

 

The article presented here is intended to inform you about the broader media perspective on dentistry, regardless of its alignment with the ADA's stance. It is important to note that publication of an article does not imply the ADA's endorsement, agreement, or promotion of its content.