Use of methylene blue as a diagnostic aid in early detection of oral cancer and precancerous lesions.
We assessed the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive value of methylene blue staining in the diagnosis of oral cancer in 58 patients. The sensitivity was 90%, the specificity 69%, positive predictive value 74%, and negative predictive value 87%. Because of the number of false negatives and false positives we recommend that the diagnosis should always be confirmed by histopathological examination of a biopsy specimen. Methylene blue staining may, however, be useful as a screening tool for oral cancer in large, high-risk groups in a similar way to the more expensive toluidine blue.
Chen
Ya-Wei
YW
Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Department of Dentistry, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, School of Dentistry, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
Lin
Jiun-Sheng
JS
Fong
Jenny Hwai-Jen
JH
Wang
I-Kai
IK
Chou
Shen-Ju
SJ
Wu
Chen-Hsian
CH
Lui
Man-Tin
MT
Chang
Che-Shoa
CS
Kao
Shou-Yen
SY
D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004396:Coloring Agents; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D004919:Erythroplasia / Q000175:diagnosis; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D006801:Humans; D007971:Leukoplakia / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods; D008751:Methylene Blue; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D019226:Oral Ulcer / Q000175:diagnosis; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests
D004396:Coloring Agents; D008751:Methylene Blue