title: Use of methylene blue as a diagnostic aid in early detection of oral cancer and precancerous lesions.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Department of Dentistry, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, School of Dentistry, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: Ya-Wei
authors.initials: YW
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Jiun-Sheng
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Jenny Hwai-Jen
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Fong
authors.forename: I-Kai
authors.initials: IK
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Shen-Ju
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Chou
authors.forename: Chen-Hsian
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Man-Tin
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Lui
authors.forename: Che-Shoa
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Shou-Yen
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Kao
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D004396:Coloring Agents; D008751:Methylene Blue