Search Results (131)

Some diseases affecting the oral mucosa can be life-threatening and/or associated with life-threatening complications. Conventional diagnostic methods for most oral mucosal diseases are usually employed at a fully established disease state. All these peculiarities usually result in late diagnosis, poor prognosis, poor treatment outcomes, and reduced overall survival rates, hence the need for novel methods for the early detection of these disease conditions. Small extracellular vesicle (sEV)-based diagnosis carries great potential for early diagnosis of oral mucosal diseases, as sEVs reflect the physiological status of their parent cells. sEVs are also widely distributed in body fluids, which helps overcome the problem of inaccessibility in sample or specimen collection in some cases. Furthermore, the composition of sEVs can be used as diagnostic biomarkers for several disease conditions, including oral mucosal diseases. This review critically examines the emerging role of sEVs-derived biomarkers from saliva and blood in the diagnosis of some oral mucosal diseases, such as hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD), oral lichen planus (OLP), oral leukoplakia (OL), and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). It also discusses the need for the validation and standardization of the potential sEV-derived diagnostic biomarkers of these oral mucosal diseases for clinical application. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to quantitatively assess site-specific mean autofluorescence intensity across normal oral mucosal subsites and to evaluate the effectiveness of Autofluorescence Imaging (AFI) as an adjunct tool for distinguishing benign lesions, OPMDs, and oral cancers by comparing lesion intensity with anatomically matched healthy subsites. Methods: This observational study employed dual-mode imaging, comprising paired White Light Imaging (WLI) and AFI, captured from different oral cavity subsites using a smartphone-based point-of-care device. The Region of Interest (ROI) was annotated on WLI and automatically mapped to the corresponding AFI for both normal mucosa and lesions. WLI and AFI images were separated into their constituent red, green, and blue (RGB) channels, and AFI intensity was quantified via ImageJ. Results: A total of 1380 dual-mode images were acquired from 86 healthy participants. AFI intensities were comparable across most oral subsites, except for the lateral and ventral tongue. The lateral border showed the lowest fluorescence (Green channel-GC: 68.12 ± 28.27; Blue channel-BC: 25.29 ± 7.93), whereas the ventral tongue showed the highest (GC: 98.89 ± 42.22; BC: 37.08 ± 11.04; both p < 0.001). Among 611 lesions, predominantly from the buccal mucosa, AFI intensity declined progressively with increasing disease severity. Homogeneous leukoplakia (n = 149; GC: 38.62 ± 25.05; BC: 21.60 ± 9.50), non-homogeneous leukoplakia (n = 25; GC: 30.42 ± 18.66; BC: 18.25 ± 7.17) and oral cancer (n = 21; GC: 23.39 ± 15.53; BC: 15.82 ± 7.15; all p < 0.001) showed markedly reduced fluorescence, while benign lesions (n: 44; GC: 66.99 ± 30.88; BC: 32.01 ± 13.62) exhibited intermediate intensities, supporting AFI’s discriminative potential. Conclusions: This phase-1, proof-of-concept study highlights subsite-specific variations in autofluorescence intensity within healthy oral mucosa, providing an essential baseline for objective interpretation of lesion-associated fluorescence changes. AFI has the potential to be used as a non-invasive adjunct for monitoring OPMDs. Further validation in larger and more diverse cohorts is required before clinical implementation. Full article

Objectives: Oral leukoplakia (OL) is the most prevalent oral potentially malignant disorder and requires accurate diagnosis, safe excision, and reliable margin evaluation to minimize recurrence and malignant transformation. Diode laser excision is increasingly adopted due to its precision and favorable clinical outcomes; however, laser-induced thermal effects at surgical margins raise concerns regarding tissue integrity and histopathological reliability. This study aimed to evaluate optical coherence tomography (OCT) as a real-time, high-resolution, non-invasive imaging modality for assessing peri-incisional thermal effects during diode laser excision of non-dysplastic OL. The primary objective was to validate OCT for ultrastructural and morphometric tissue analysis while ensuring preservation of diagnostic readability. Methods: A single-center observational case series was conducted at the University of Turin. Thirty patients with clinically and histopathologically confirmed oral leukoplakia without epithelial dysplasia were enrolled and allocated to two groups: 15 lesions excised using a 980 nm diode laser in continuous-wave contact mode (laser group) and 15 lesions removed by conventional scalpel biopsy (control group). Laser excisions were performed with standardized parameters and a circumferential safety margin of 5 mm. Immediately after excision, specimens underwent ex vivo spectral-domain OCT (SD-OCT) imaging to evaluate the epithelial and connective tissue microarchitecture at surgical margins and central lesion areas. OCT acquisition sites were precisely correlated with histological sections. Quantitative OCT measurements of epithelial thickness, lamina propria thickness, and laser-induced thermal alterations were compared with corresponding histological findings. Results: OCT consistently provided high-resolution visualization of oral mucosal microarchitecture in both groups, allowing clear identification of epithelial stratification, basement membrane continuity, and lamina propria organization. In the laser group, OCT detected superficial optical alterations at the surgical margins consistent with laser-induced thermal effects, while deeper tissue layers remained structurally readable. Histological analysis revealed mean epithelial and connective tissue thermal alterations of 288.9 μm and 430.3 μm, respectively. OCT-derived measurements showed high concordance with histology, with an overall agreement of 88.5% and no statistically significant differences between OCT and histological assessments. Importantly, laser-induced thermal effects did not impair definitive histopathological diagnosis in any specimen. Comparison with the control group confirmed preserved tissue architecture in scalpel-excised samples and highlighted OCT sensitivity in detecting laser-related structural remodeling. Conclusions: OCT proved to be a reliable, non-invasive imaging technique for real-time assessment of diode laser-induced thermal effects during OL excision. The technique accurately delineated tissue microstructure and surgical margins without compromising histopathological interpretation. Integration of OCT into the laser-assisted management of oral potentially malignant disorders may enhance surgical precision, optimize margin control, reduce diagnostic uncertainty, and support individualized follow-up strategies. Full article

Background/Objectives: The early detection of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), especially when in the presence of oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs), may be challenging and would assist in improving poor OSCC survival rates reported in the literature. We conducted a systematic review to evaluate the utility of adjunctive aids that could assist during clinical examination of the oral cavity to identify suspicious mucosal lesions. Methods: Three databases (CENTRAL, PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase) were screened, limiting results from 2015 to November 2025. Inclusion criteria were: articles written in English; investigating the diagnostic accuracy of diagnostic visual aids compared to conventional oral examination under white light in the assessment of oral mucosal lesions. Extracted data were analysed narratively. Studies not reporting diagnostic accuracy using biopsy results as the gold standard were excluded. Results: The search produced 137 articles; after removing duplicates, 105 were screened through inclusion/exclusion criteria, leading to 17 papers included in the review. Eight articles investigated diagnostic accuracy of narrow band imaging (NBI), seven visually enhanced lesion scopes (VELscopes), one Glasses for Oral Cancer Curing Light Exposed Screening (GOCCLES), one ViziLite chemiluminescence system, and two toluidine blue (TB). Conclusions: High study heterogeneity and lack of randomized clinical trials limit the conclusions of this review. In this context, among the investigated visual aids for expert use, NBI (sensitivity 85–100%, specificity 75–98%) emerges as the most promising tool (VELscope sensitivity 76–87.1%, specificity 21.4–90%; GOCCLES 66%, 48%; ViziLite 77.3%, 27.8%, TB 56.8–91%, 65.3–68%), due to its ability to highlight sub epithelial vascular abnormalities, considered as early indicators of dysplastic or neoplastic progression even. None of the investigated visual aids seem suited for screening purposes/use by the general dentist. Full article

Background: Oral leukoplakia (OL) with oral epithelial dysplasia (OED) carries an increased risk of malignant transformation and typically requires active management and long-term surveillance. Surgical excision remains the gold standard, yet recurrence is common and morbidity may be substantial, particularly in extensive or multifocal disease. Photodynamic therapy using 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA-PDT) has emerged as a minimally invasive alternative. However, its effectiveness in dysplastic OL has not been quantified systematically. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted according to a prospectively registered protocol (PROSPERO: CRD420251249586) and reported in line with PRISMA 2020. PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched from inception to 15 December 2025 for clinical studies evaluating ALA-PDT as primary treatment for OL with histopathologically confirmed OED. Single-arm prospective or retrospective studies reporting clinical response were eligible. Risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist for Case Series. Pooled overall response rate (ORR) and complete response (CR) were estimated as proportions using random-effects models. Recurrence and malignant transformation were summarized as incidence rates per 100 person-years. Results: Six single-arm clinical studies including 109 patients with dysplastic oral leukoplakia treated with 5-ALA-mediated photodynamic therapy were eligible for quantitative synthesis. The pooled overall response rate was 0.85 (95% CI 0.74–0.93), whereas the pooled complete response rate reached 0.34 (95% CI 0.18–0.53), with moderate to substantial heterogeneity. Recurrence and malignant transformation outcomes were limited and analyzed descriptively, suggesting low but persistent long-term risk. The overall certainty of the evidence was rated as very low according to GRADE. Conclusions: 5-ALA-mediated photodynamic therapy appears to be an effective and minimally invasive treatment option for oral leukoplakia with epithelial dysplasia; however, the very low certainty of evidence, lack of standardized protocols, and persistent risk of recurrence and malignant transformation highlight the need for well-designed controlled studies and long-term clinical surveillance. Full article

Oral leukoplakia (OL) is a common oral potentially malignant disorder in which chronic inflammation and carcinogenic exposures may promote oxidative stress. Saliva is in direct contact with the lesion and represents a non-invasive medium for assessing redox dysregulation. This systematic review and meta-analysis synthesized evidence on salivary oxidative damage markers and antioxidant defenses in OL compared with healthy controls. A PROSPERO-registered systematic review (CRD420251242238) was conducted in accordance with PRISMA and Cochrane guidelines. PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science were searched up to 10 December 2025 for observational studies comparing salivary oxidative stress and/or antioxidant markers in patients with clinically and/or histopathologically confirmed OL and healthy controls. Case–control and cross-sectional studies reporting quantitative data were included. Risk of bias was assessed using a modified Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. When ≥2 datasets were available, standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were pooled. Meta-analysis showed significantly higher salivary malondialdehyde in OL (SMD = 1.47; 95% CI: 0.55–2.39), indicating enhanced lipid peroxidation. OL was also associated with significantly lower levels of reduced glutathione, vitamins C and E, and uric acid. For 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine, a non-significant trend towards higher levels was observed with substantial heterogeneity. Evidence for TBARS, total antioxidant capacity and enzymatic antioxidants was limited. OL is associated with a salivary redox imbalance favoring a pro-oxidant state. High heterogeneity and limited biomarker-specific evidence highlight the need for larger, standardized prospective studies to validate salivary redox markers for OL monitoring and risk stratification. Full article

Background/Objectives: Oral mucosal wounds are frequently encountered in daily dental practice and are often difficult to manage because of continuous exposure to saliva, mastication, and mechanical irritation. This technical note describes the clinical practicality of an oral liquid bandage (ORAPLA) as a film-forming protective barrier for traumatic and surgical oral mucosal wounds. Methods: ORAPLA was applied in four clinical scenarios: a traumatic lip bite injury, a postoperative mucosal defect following leukoplakia excision, a biopsy wound for suspected oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), and aphthous stomatitis. Clinical observations included patient-reported symptom relief, film retention, and the clinical appearance of epithelialization at follow-up (1–2 weeks). Results: In all cases, ORAPLA formed a thin protective film immediately after application and was typically observed to remain on the wound surface for approximately 5–6 h under routine daily activities. Patients reported prompt subjective pain relief, and no adverse events were observed. Epithelialization proceeded without clinically evident secondary infection during the follow-up period. Conclusions: In this small descriptive case series, ORAPLA was feasible to apply, well tolerated, and provided temporary mechanical protection with immediate subjective comfort. Controlled studies using standardized outcome measures are warranted. Full article

5-Aminolevulinic acid (ALA)-mediated photodynamic therapy (PDT) is one of the treatment modalities for oral leukoplakia (OLK) and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). However, the role of ferroptosis in ALA-PDT for OLK and OSCC remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate whether ALA-PDT can induce ferroptosis in OLK and OSCC. We detected relative cellular dehydrogenase activity (CCK-8 assay), long-term proliferative viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, glutathione levels, and mitochondrial morphology after ALA-PDT. The expression of ferroptosis-related proteins was detected using Western blot. A tongue OSCC model was established in male BalB/c nude mice, and then ALA-PDT was performed. Immunohistochemical staining of Ki67, GPX4 and FTH1 was conducted to evaluate the effect of ALA-PDT. Subsequently, OLK and OSCC cells were pre-treated with ferrostatin-1 (Fer-1) before ALA-PDT. Relative cellular dehydrogenase activity, ROS generation, lipid peroxidation, Fe²⁺ levels, and ferroptosis-related protein expression were measured. Finally, OLK and OSCC cells were treated with a combination of ALA-PDT and erastin, and mitochondrial function was evaluated. In vitro study showed that ALA-PDT increased ROS generation and decreased GSH/GSSG ratio in OLK and OSCC cells. After ALA-PDT, mitochondrial morphology exhibited typical characteristics of ferroptosis. In vivo experiments showed that immunohistochemistry (IHC) scores of Ki67, GPX4 and FTH1 in the tissues decreased after ALA-PDT. Moreover, pre-treatment with Fer-1 could reverse ROS levels, lipid peroxidation and intracellular Fe²⁺ accumulation in OLK and OSCC cells after ALA-PDT. Additionally, Fer-1 pre-treatment reversed the changes in protein expression induced by ALA-PDT. The combination of ALA-PDT and erastin significantly reduced mitochondrial O₂•⁻ production and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential. Above all, ALA-PDT can induce ferroptosis in OLK and OSCC. The use of ferroptosis agonists may enhance the therapeutic efficacy of ALA-PDT for OLK and OSCC. Full article

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a computer science that focuses on developing systems and machines capable of performing tasks that typically require human cognitive abilities. It has widespread applications in medical diagnostics. Its use has led to rapid advancements in diagnostic methodology, enabling the analysis of large datasets. The major applications of AI in medical diagnostics include personalized treatment based on patient genetics, preventive measures, and medical image analysis. AI is employed to analyse genomic data and biomarkers, aiding in the precise tailoring of therapies to individual patient needs. It could also be employed in modern dentistry in the near future, helping to achieve higher efficiency and accuracy in diagnosis and treatment planning. AI may be utilized in screening for oral mucosa lesions and to discriminate between oral potentially malignant disorders and cancers from benign lesions. The potential advantages of AI include high speed and accuracy in the diagnostic process, as well as relatively low costs. The aim of this review was to present the potential applications of AI methods in the diagnosis of selected mucocutaneous diseases. A literature review focuses on oral lichen planus, recurrent aphthous stomatitis, and oral and laryngeal leukoplakia. Full article

Background: Oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) often exhibit heterogeneous clinical features, making the early detection of dysplasia very difficult. Several chemiluminescence-based devices, like ViziLite^®, have been suggested as non-invasive adjuncts that can enhance the visualization of suspicious mucosal changes. However, their true diagnostic value remains unclear. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted in line with PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Thirteen clinical studies met the inclusion criteria, necessitating chemiluminescence as index test and histopathology as reference standard, with extractable 2 × 2 diagnostic data. For all OPMDs and leukoplakia-only subgroups, pooled sensitivity and specificity, DOR, SROC curves, and device-specific diagnostic accuracy were determined. Results: Of all the OPMDs, chemiluminescence demonstrated a high pooled sensitivity of 0.82 and a low specificity of 0.48 with considerable heterogeneity among studies. The results in the leukoplakia subgroup improved sensitivity of 0.87 and a specificity of 0.51 were recorded with a more concave SROC curve, which illustrated a better discriminative ability in keratinized lesions. Comparison of devices illustrates accuracy was best for ViziLite + Lugol iodine (~0.82) followed by standard ViziLite (~0.62) and ViziLite Plus (~0.53). Conclusions: Chemiluminescence, while it may demonstrate good sensitivity, has repeatedly shown to have limited specificity in a consistent manner, particularly in populations with mixed OPMD where inflammatory and benign lesions inflate the false-positive rates. Notably, diagnostic performance was higher in leukoplakia, suggesting that keratinized lesions benefit most from this adjunctive tool. Overall, chemiluminescence may facilitate lesion visualization and biopsy site selection but cannot supplant histopathological examination as a definitive diagnostic modality. Full article

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate serum and salivary podoplanin (PDPN) levels in patients with oral cancer (OC) and oral leukoplakia (OL) and to investigate their potential role as diagnostic biomarkers in distinguishing between these conditions. Materials and Method: Ninety participants were enrolled: 30 healthy controls, 30 patients with OL, and 30 patients with histopathologically confirmed OC. All cases were recruited from the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Cerrahpaşa Medical Faculty and Istanbul Atlas University Hospital. Demographic characteristics, comorbidities, and biochemical parameters were recorded. Serum and salivary PDPN levels were measured using the ELISA method. Results: Serum PDPN levels were significantly higher in the OC group (3.25 ± 0.80 ng/mL) compared with both OL (1.85 ± 0.56 ng/mL) and controls (0.98 ± 0.42 ng/mL) (p < 0.001). Salivary PDPN levels showed a similar pattern, being highest in OC (2.65 ± 0.75 ng/mL), followed by leukoplakia (1.40 ± 0.45 ng/mL), and controls (0.72 ± 0.30 ng/mL) (p < 0.001). Importantly, both serum and salivary PDPN concentrations increased progressively with increasing epithelial dysplasia severity among patients with OL (one-way ANOVA, p < 0.001). ROC analysis demonstrated excellent diagnostic accuracy for OC: AUC = 0.976 for serum PDPN (cut-off: 2.0 ng/mL; sensitivity 93.3%, specificity 100%) and AUC = 0.987 for salivary PDPN (cut-off 1.24 ng/mL; sensitivity 93.3%, specificity 95%). Conclusions: Serum and salivary PDPN levels were significantly elevated in patients with OC and demonstrated excellent diagnostic performance in distinguishing malignant lesions from OL and healthy controls. The observed stepwise increase in PDPN levels with dysplasia severity further supports its role in malignant transformation. Notably, salivary PDPN represents a non-invasive, practical, and reproducible biomarker that may aid in early detection and risk stratification of high-risk oral premalignant lesions. PDPN assessment could therefore complement clinical and histopathological evaluation, although larger prospective studies are warranted to validate its diagnostic and prognostic utility. Full article

Background/Objectives: Oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs), including oral leukoplakia (OLK), oral lichen planus (OLP), and actinic cheilitis (AC), have varying risks of progression to oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Biomarkers such as aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (ALDH1) and mammary serine protease inhibitor (Maspin) have shown potential for diagnostic and prognostic use in oral cancer. The present study aimed to evaluate the immunoexpression of aldehyde dehydrogenase 1, a cancer stem cell marker associated with aggressiveness, and the mammary serine protease inhibitor, a potential tumor suppressor, in OPMD and OSCC tissues. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 145 biopsy specimens collected from January 2015 to January 2023, including normal epithelium, OPMDs (OLK, OLP, AC), and OSCC. ALDH1 and Maspin expression levels were evaluated using immunohistochemistry, considering both the percentage of positive cells and staining intensity. Statistical analyses were carried out using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS, version 29.0; IBM Corp., Chicago, IL, USA). Results: Normal oral epithelium showed no expression of ALDH1, whereas 40.6% of OPMDs and 44.4% of OSCC samples exhibited high cytoplasmic ALDH1 expression. Nuclear ALDH1 expression was elevated in 29.7% of OPMDs and 38.9% of OSCCs (p < 0.001). Nuclear Maspin expression was high in 95.2% of normal tissues, in 67.2% of OPMDs and in 55.6% of OSCCs (p < 0.001). Maspin showed strong nuclear and cytoplasmic expression in normal tissue, but its expression decreased in OPMDs and OSCCs, with statistically significant reductions in both compartments (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The results indicate that ALDH1 upregulation and Maspin downregulation are hallmark events in oral carcinogenesis. Their combined evaluation provides a powerful tool for assessing dysplastic severity and malignant transformation risk in OPMDs. Future studies on larger cohorts are needed to confirm the prognostic utility of this dual-marker model. Full article

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the malignant transformation (MT) risk profile in patients with oral proliferative leukoplakia (OPL) referred to the Oral Medicine and Oral Surgery units of Umberto I Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome. Methods: The departmental database and medical records of OPL patients were reviewed from January 2014 to June 2024. Demographic, clinical, and histopathological features and treatment strategies were collected in a de-identified dataset. Results: A total of 51 OPL patients (33 females and 18 males; mean age 62.86 ± 13.55 years) were included. MT occurred in 17.6% (n = 9) after a mean follow-up of 4.78 ± 2.59 years. A higher percentage of the presence of a previous history of solid or hematological tumor was observed in patients with MT, with an OR of 2.940 (95% CI 0.064–1.350), without statistical significance. The homogeneous clinical form was more common in patients without MT (78.57%), and the speckled clinical form was more common in patients with MT (44.44%). The percentage of patients with lesions located on the floor of the mouth, ventral surface of the tongue, and dorsal surface of the tongue was higher in patients with MT. The tongue was the most common site of MT, followed by the gingiva, buccal mucosa, and palate. At the histological level, a verrucous, nodular, or bulky architecture was more commonly observed in patients with MT, and the presence of band-like lymphocytic infiltrate was observed in all patients with MT. Higher dysplasia grades were significantly associated with MT (p = 0.009). No significant association was found between the treatment modality and MT risk, although laser ablation was associated with a trend toward lower risk. Conclusions: This study further suggests that the clinical morphology, lesion site, and histological grading may be important predicting factors for MT in OPL. The presence of a non-homogeneous lesion form, a higher grade of dysplasia, and a history of previous solid or hematological tumor led to a more aggressive disease course. Individualized risk assessment and long-term surveillance may be advisable. Full article

Head and neck cancer (HNC) diagnostics are undergoing a transformative shift. Recent research published in Cancers highlights a paradigm shift in the comprehensive management of HNC, driven by precision oncology and disruptive technologies. AI-enhanced imaging and non-invasive biomolecular fingerprinting are redefining early detection, with tools like infrared spectroscopy and hyperspectral imaging delivering near-perfect accuracy and real-time surgical guidance. Liquid biopsy is emerging as a powerful surveillance modality, capable of detecting recurrence months before conventional imaging and offering prognostic insights via cell-free DNA analysis. Theranostic agents in nuclear medicine show promise for rare HNC subtypes, though broader molecular targets remain a challenge. These technologies may have utility for complex presentations such as proliferative verrucous leukoplakia (PVL)-associated oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), which disproportionately affects women, and peri-implant OSCC, which is often misdiagnosed and requires aggressive intervention. Collectively, these innovations directly address long-standing challenges: early detection, accurate staging, treatment personalization, monitoring of minimal residual disease and timely cancer care—where diagnostics not only inform treatment but actively shape outcomes. This editorial underscores the urgency of integrating such tools into clinical pathways to improve survival and quality of life for HNC patients globally. Full article

Oral cancer represents a life-threatening malignancy with profound implications for patient survival and quality of life. Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), the predominant histological variant of oral cancer, constitutes a substantial healthcare challenge wherein early detection remains critical for therapeutic efficacy and enhanced survival outcomes. Recent advances in deep learning methodologies have demonstrated superior performance in medical imaging applications. However, existing investigations have predominantly employed unimodal image data for oral lesion classification, thereby neglecting the potential advantages of multimodal data integration. To address this limitation, we propose a comprehensive multimodal pipeline for the classification of OSCC versus leukoplakia through the integration of histopathological imagery with tabular data encompassing anatomical characteristics and behavioral risk factors. Our methodology achieved a precision of 0.97, F1-score of 0.97, recall of 0.98, and accuracy of 0.97. These findings demonstrate the enhanced diagnostic precision and efficacy afforded by multimodal approaches in oral cancer classification, suggesting a promising avenue for improved diagnostic accuracy and treatment planning optimization. Full article