Exfoliative Cytology- Need of the Hour

Oral cancer is becoming more common over the world. Oral cancer patients have a low survival rate when compared to other types of cancer. This is primarily due to a delay in diagnosis, which causes tumour metastasis and, as a result, secondary cancers. Diagnosing oral precancer or oral cancer, especially when the disease is in its early stages, is extremely difficult and crucial for the dental profession. Early detection and treatment planning for patients with oral cancer rely heavily on early screening and improved diagnostic tools. The analysis in microscope of exfoliated cells from surface of epithelium is known as oral exfoliative cytology (OEC). It is an easy, non-intrusive, and sensitive technique of staining that is utilised as an alternative to biopsy or when biopsy is not possible, also for mass screening [1].

Cytopathology is a technique for examining diseases that affect a wide range of bodily sites, and it is frequently used to aid in the diagnosis of cancer, as well as some viral diseases and other inflammatory ailments. The Pap smear, for example, is a typical cytopathology application that is used to detect precancerous cervical lesions that may lead to cervical cancer. This approach is only used to analyse surface cells and must be confirmed with additional cytological investigation. Smears can be taken from the buccal mucosa, the dorsum of the tongue, the floor of the mouth, the hard and soft palate junction, and the lower labial region. Because the materials are smeared across a glass microscope slide for staining and microscopic analysis, cytopathologic tests are also known as smear tests. They help in prevention of the disease from turning into severe one.