Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
8.0
4.5
Journals
Cancers
Special Issues
Early Diagnosis and Diagnostic Delay in Oral Cancer
share announcement

Early Diagnosis and Diagnostic Delay in Oral Cancer

A special issue of Cancers (ISSN 2072-6694). This special issue belongs to the section "Cancer Causes, Screening and Diagnosis".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2021) | Viewed by 29144

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Pablo Varela‐Centelles

E-Mail
Guest Editor
Department of Surgery and Medical-Surgical Specialities, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15705 Santiago de Compostela, Spain

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Oral and oropharyngeal cancer is the sixth most common malignancy, with an estimated annual mortality from oral cancer of 177,384 people in 2018. Five-year survival rates for this neoplasm have stayed below 50% during the past few decades despite the undeniable diagnostic and therapeutic contributions made by the scientific community to improve this situation. Oral cancer is mainly diagnosed at advanced stages, a fact that influences survival, as it has been reported that if these tumors were to be treated at earlier stages, survival rates would increase by up to 80%.

Thus, strategies to achieve early diagnoses and treatment may have a significant impact not only on patient survival but also on the morbidity and economic burden of the disease. These strategies should consider every factor in the processes of diagnosis and treatment, namely, patient awareness, pathways to primary and definitive diagnoses, diagnostic techniques and treatment circuits, and time intervals in the pathways from first symptom to final treatment. The aim of this Special Issue is to analyze these factors, techniques, and agents to disclose areas were improvement is feasible.

Dr. Pablo Varela‐Centelles
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Cancers is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • oral cancer
  • potentially malignant oral disorders
  • early diagnosis
  • diagnostic delay

Published Papers (8 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Editorial

Jump to: Research, Review, Other

3 pages, 183 KiB  
Editorial
Early Diagnosis and Diagnostic Delay in Oral Cancer
by Pablo Varela-Centelles
Cancers 2022, 14(7), 1758; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers14071758 - 30 Mar 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1555
Abstract
Oral cancer is a very serious public health problem in many parts of the world, particularly in developing countries, where about two-thirds of incident cases occur [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Early Diagnosis and Diagnostic Delay in Oral Cancer)

Research

Jump to: Editorial, Review, Other

13 pages, 873 KiB  
Article
Impact of the Presenting Symptom on Time Intervals and Diagnostic Routes of Patients with Symptomatic Oral Cancer
by Pablo Ignacio Varela-Centelles, Daniel Pérez López, José Luis López-Cedrún, Álvaro García-Rozado, Pablo Castelo Baz, Amparo Romero-Méndez and Juan Seoane
Cancers 2021, 13(20), 5163; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers13205163 - 14 Oct 2021
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1498
Abstract
This investigation was aimed at determining the time intervals from the presenting symptoms until the beginning of oral cancer treatment and their relative contribution to the total time, and to assess the impact of the presenting symptom on diagnostic timelines and patient referral [...] Read more.
This investigation was aimed at determining the time intervals from the presenting symptoms until the beginning of oral cancer treatment and their relative contribution to the total time, and to assess the impact of the presenting symptom on diagnostic timelines and patient referral routes. A cross-sectional, ambispective study was designed to investigate symptomatic incident cases. The Aarhus statement was used as a conceptual framework. Strategies for minimizing potential recall biases were implemented. A sample of 181 patients was recruited (power: 99.5%; α = 0.05). The patient interval reached 58.2 days (95% CI, 40.3–76.2), which accounted for 74% of the whole prereferral interval and for more than one third of the total time interval. The presenting symptom (trigger for consultation) influenced both the number of primary care consultations and the length of time to diagnosis. General dental practitioners generated longer intervals to diagnosis (p < 0.005) and needed more consultations before referring a patient (RR = 0.76; 95% CI, 0.61–0.93), than general medical practitioners. The current study identifies the patient as the main target for interventions to improve awareness and reinforces the need for increased alertness amongst healthcare professionals about presenting symptoms of oral cancer and to diminish the number of prereferral consultations in order to optimize the primary care interval. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Early Diagnosis and Diagnostic Delay in Oral Cancer)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 2527 KiB  
Article
ZNF-281 as the Potential Diagnostic Marker of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma
by Anna Starzyńska, Bartosz Kamil Sobocki, Aleksandra Sejda, Monika Sakowicz-Burkiewicz, Olga Szot and Barbara Alicja Jereczek-Fossa
Cancers 2021, 13(11), 2661; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers13112661 - 28 May 2021
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3170
Abstract
ZNF-281 is a zinc finger factor which can lead to cancer progression and metastasis. Its up-regulation reported in many cancers was correlated with metastasis and worsened patients’ prognosis. This is the first study describing ZNF-281 in the context of OSCC. Oral tissue samples [...] Read more.
ZNF-281 is a zinc finger factor which can lead to cancer progression and metastasis. Its up-regulation reported in many cancers was correlated with metastasis and worsened patients’ prognosis. This is the first study describing ZNF-281 in the context of OSCC. Oral tissue samples drawn from 66 OSCC patients and 36 control patients were collected to determine protein (using immunochemistry and the semi-quantitative H-score method) and mRNA expression levels (using the RT-qPCR reaction). Our aim was to assess the ZNF-281 expression level in OSCC and the control group. Moreover, we determined the impact of ZNF-281 on survival parameters and the association of diversified clinical parameters with ZNF-281 expression. Clinical factors such as grade, AJCC stage and radiotherapy have an impact on the ZNF-281 H-score level, whereas AJCC stage and grade have an influence on ZNF-281 mRNA expression. Our survival analysis indicated that the impact on overall survival is not statistically significant, and the prognostic potential of ZNF-281 is rather limited. Our findings show that both levels of the ZNF-281 H-score and mRNA are decreased in OSCC in comparison to normal tissue. Moreover, we estimated that the H-score can differentiate normal tissue from OSCC with a sensitivity of 97% and specificity of 93.7%. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Early Diagnosis and Diagnostic Delay in Oral Cancer)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

Review

Jump to: Editorial, Research, Other

22 pages, 1052 KiB  
Review
A Scoping Review on Gaps in the Diagnostic Criteria for Proliferative Verrucous Leukoplakia: A Conceptual Proposal and Diagnostic Evidence-Based Criteria
by Miguel Ángel González-Moles, Pablo Ramos-García and Saman Warnakulasuriya
Cancers 2021, 13(15), 3669; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers13153669 - 21 Jul 2021
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 2739
Abstract
Proliferative verrucous leukoplakia (PVL) is considered as an oral potentially malignant disorder (OPMD) that presents with a high tendency to recurrence after treatment and has the highest malignant transformation ratio among all OPMD (50%). Evidence-based publications have indicated that the malignant evolution reported [...] Read more.
Proliferative verrucous leukoplakia (PVL) is considered as an oral potentially malignant disorder (OPMD) that presents with a high tendency to recurrence after treatment and has the highest malignant transformation ratio among all OPMD (50%). Evidence-based publications have indicated that the malignant evolution reported is significantly related to the inconsistent diagnostic criteria used in primary-level studies; so, it has been hypothesized that the risk of oral cancer for this disease could even be underestimated. This is important because PVL requires specific management protocols, evidence-based, aimed at the early diagnosis of cancer developing in these lesions. We present a scoping review—a novel approach to mapping the available literature on a given topic to provide an overview of the available research evidence and to highlight possible gaps in the evidence—especially related in our study to the diagnostic aspects of PVL, and to issue a conceptual proposal and diagnostic criteria for PVL. We conclude that PVL is a white, multifocal and progressive lesion with a high malignant transformation rate which is diagnosed mainly around the age of 60 years without any specific histological characterization. We also advise a personal reflection on the level of certainty with which the clinician makes the diagnosis of a particular case of PVL. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Early Diagnosis and Diagnostic Delay in Oral Cancer)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 348 KiB  
Review
Time-to-Treatment in Oral Cancer: Causes and Implications for Survival
by Constanza Saka-Herrán, Enric Jané-Salas, Antoni Mari-Roig, Albert Estrugo-Devesa and José López-López
Cancers 2021, 13(6), 1321; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers13061321 - 16 Mar 2021
Cited by 30 | Viewed by 2874
Abstract
The purpose of this review was to identify and describe the causes that influence the time-intervals in the pathway of diagnosis and treatment of oral cancer and to assess its impact on prognosis and survival. The review was structured according to the recommendations [...] Read more.
The purpose of this review was to identify and describe the causes that influence the time-intervals in the pathway of diagnosis and treatment of oral cancer and to assess its impact on prognosis and survival. The review was structured according to the recommendations of the Aarhus statement, considering original data from individual studies and systematic reviews that reported outcomes related to the patient, diagnostic and pre-treatment intervals. The patient interval is the major contributor to the total time-interval. Unawareness of signs and/or symptoms, denial and lack of knowledge about oral cancer are the major contributors to the process of seeking medical attention. The diagnostic interval is influenced by tumor factors, delays in referral due to higher number of consultations and previous treatment with different medicines or dental procedures and by professional factors such as experience and lack of knowledge related to the disease and diagnostic procedures. Patients with advanced stage disease, primary treatment with radiotherapy, treatment at an academic facility and transitions in care are associated with prolonged pre-treatment intervals. An emerging body of evidence supports the impact of prolonged pre-treatment and treatment intervals with poorer survival from oral cancer. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Early Diagnosis and Diagnostic Delay in Oral Cancer)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Other

16 pages, 3051 KiB  
Systematic Review
Prognosis Parameters of Oral Carcinomas Developed in Proliferative Verrucous Leukoplakia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
by Miguel Ángel González-Moles, Saman Warnakulasuriya and Pablo Ramos-García
Cancers 2021, 13(19), 4843; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers13194843 - 28 Sep 2021
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 2746
Abstract
Proliferative verrucous leukoplakia (PVL) is contemplated by the World Health Organization (WHO) as an oral potentially malignant disorder (OPMD) with a high the highest malignant transformation ratio among all OPMD (approximately 50%). Our aim was to evaluate the current evidence in relation to [...] Read more.
Proliferative verrucous leukoplakia (PVL) is contemplated by the World Health Organization (WHO) as an oral potentially malignant disorder (OPMD) with a high the highest malignant transformation ratio among all OPMD (approximately 50%). Our aim was to evaluate the current evidence in relation to the prognosis of oral carcinoma developed in patients with proliferative verrucous leukoplakia (PVL-OC). We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and Scopus for published studies (upper date limit = June 2021). We evaluated the quality of studies (QUIPS tool). We carried out meta-analyses, examined inter-study heterogeneity through subgroup and meta-regression analyses, and performed sensitivity and small-study effects analyses to test the stability and reliability of results. 23 studies met inclusion criteria (505 patients with PVL, of which 288 developed a total of 504 carcinomas). The meta-analyzed overall mortality rate was 21.29% (pooled proportions [PP] = 95% confidence intervals [CI] = 8.77–36.36) for PVL-OC, clearly lower than the 34.7–50% mortality rate for conventional oral cancer reported in previous studies. In comparison with a single study reporting on conventional oral cancers, mortality was significantly lower for PVL-OC (hazard ratio = 0.29 [95%CI = 0.10–0.89], p = 0.03). Univariable meta-regression verified that case series that presented higher proportions of verrucous carcinomas showed a better survival of PVL-OC (p = 0.05), but not with higher proportion of oral squamous cell carcinomas (p = 0.74). Significant differences were not found for other relevant variables such as follow up period (p = 0.44) or multiple tumor development (p = 0.74). In conclusion, PVL-OC show favorable prognostic parameters, especially with regard to the mortality rate. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Early Diagnosis and Diagnostic Delay in Oral Cancer)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

26 pages, 678 KiB  
Systematic Review
Role of Artificial Intelligence in the Early Diagnosis of Oral Cancer. A Scoping Review
by María García-Pola, Eduardo Pons-Fuster, Carlota Suárez-Fernández, Juan Seoane-Romero, Amparo Romero-Méndez and Pia López-Jornet
Cancers 2021, 13(18), 4600; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers13184600 - 14 Sep 2021
Cited by 48 | Viewed by 7503
Abstract
The early diagnosis of cancer can facilitate subsequent clinical patient management. Artificial intelligence (AI) has been found to be promising for improving the diagnostic process. The aim of the present study is to increase the evidence on the application of AI to the [...] Read more.
The early diagnosis of cancer can facilitate subsequent clinical patient management. Artificial intelligence (AI) has been found to be promising for improving the diagnostic process. The aim of the present study is to increase the evidence on the application of AI to the early diagnosis of oral cancer through a scoping review. A search was performed in the PubMed, Web of Science, Embase and Google Scholar databases during the period from January 2000 to December 2020, referring to the early non-invasive diagnosis of oral cancer based on AI applied to screening. Only accessible full-text articles were considered. Thirty-six studies were included on the early detection of oral cancer based on images (photographs (optical imaging and enhancement technology) and cytology) with the application of AI models. These studies were characterized by their heterogeneous nature. Each publication involved a different algorithm with potential training data bias and few comparative data for AI interpretation. Artificial intelligence may play an important role in precisely predicting the development of oral cancer, though several methodological issues need to be addressed in parallel to the advances in AI techniques, in order to allow large-scale transfer of the latter to population-based detection protocols. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Early Diagnosis and Diagnostic Delay in Oral Cancer)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 22057 KiB  
Systematic Review
Oral Proliferative Verrucous Leukoplakia: Progression to Malignancy and Clinical Implications. Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
by Gaspare Palaia, Amelia Bellisario, Riccardo Pampena, Roberto Pippi and Umberto Romeo
Cancers 2021, 13(16), 4085; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers13164085 - 13 Aug 2021
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 5947
Abstract
Aim: The aim of the present systematic review was to investigate the risk of malignant transformation of proliferative verrucous leukoplakia (PVL). Materials and Methods: the search was carried out using a combination of terms (leukoplakia OR leucoplakia) AND (multifocal OR proliferative) on the [...] Read more.
Aim: The aim of the present systematic review was to investigate the risk of malignant transformation of proliferative verrucous leukoplakia (PVL). Materials and Methods: the search was carried out using a combination of terms (leukoplakia OR leucoplakia) AND (multifocal OR proliferative) on the following databases: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science (WOS Core Collection), Cochrane Library, selecting only articles published since 1985 and in the English language. Demographic, disease-related, and follow-up data extracted from the studies included in the qualitative synthesis were combined. Weighted means ± standard deviations were calculated for continuous variables, while categorical variables were reported as frequencies and percentages. Dichotomous outcomes were expressed as odd ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Odd ratios for individual studies were combined using a random-effects meta-analysis, conducted using Review Manager 5.4 Software (Cochrane Community, Oxford, England). Results: twenty-two articles were included, with a total of 699 PVL patients, undergoing a mean follow-up of 7.2 years. Sixty-six percent of patients were females, with a mean age of 70.2 years, and 33.3% were males, with a mean age of 59.6 years. Most patients were non-smokers and non-alcohol users, and the gingiva/alveolar ridge mucosa was the most involved anatomical site by both PVL appearance and malignant transformation. A total of 320 PVL patients developed oral verrucous carcinoma (OVC) or conventional oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) because of malignant transformation of PVL lesions (45.8%). A statistically significant 3.8-fold higher risk of progression to conventional OSCC was found compared to OVC in PVL patients, with women being 1.7 times more likely to develop oral cancer than men, as a consequence of PVL progression. Moreover, a statistically significant higher likelihood of developing conventional OSCC in female PVL patients than in males was found. In 46.5% of patients with PVL malignant transformation, multiple carcinomas, in different oral sites, occurred during follow-up. Conclusions: PVL is an aggressive lesion, which, in a high percentage of cases (almost 50%), undergoes malignant transformation, mainly toward OSCC. The female gender is most affected, especially in the elderly, with a negative history for alcohol and tobacco consumption. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Early Diagnosis and Diagnostic Delay in Oral Cancer)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-8
Back to TopTop