OVERVIEW

Techniques for Early Cancer Detection (2nd Edition) is organized by MetLife.

Originally published: June 2018
Updated and revised: May 2021
Expiration date: May 2024

Description:
The stage at which oral cancer is diagnosed is the most important prognostic factor in predicting patient survival and the dental practitioner is often in the best position to first identify these cancers. Yet, only 30% of patients currently diagnosed with oral cavity and pharynx cancer have early-stage disease. This Quality Resource Guide (QRG) discusses the causes of delayed diagnosis for oral cavity and pharynx cancer, describes the current standard for identifying premalignant and malignant lesions, reviews the essential principles for cytology-based, light-based, vital stain-based and molecular-based diagnostic adjuncts and applies objective criteria to assess the clinical utility and value of newly marketed adjunctive diagnostic aids for oral cancer. A convenient table contains the characteristics and lists the manufacturers of all generally available diagnostic adjuncts. A careful analysis concludes that all available adjunctive techniques are associated with a high burden of false positive results and that routine use is not recommended. The QRG is an important reference for the dental clinician as he/she establishes or modifies protocol for assessment of suspicious oral lesions.

Educational Objectives:
Following this unit of instruction, the learner should be able to:
• Understand the causes of delayed diagnosis of oral cavity and pharynx cancer.
• Understand the current standard for identifying premalignant and malignant lesions.
• Understand the essential principles for cytology-based, light-based, vital stain-based and molecular-based diagnostic adjuncts.
• Apply objective criteria to assess the clinical utility and value of newly marketed adjunctive aids in one’s practice.
• Develop a disciplined protocol to routinely accomplish the conventional visual and tactile examination