Application of in vivo stain of methylene blue as a diagnostic aid in the early detection and screening of oral squamous cell carcinoma and precancer lesions.
BACKGROUND
Early detection of oral malignant or precancerous lesion by screening individuals with high-risk factors may identify candidates who should receive treatment to prevent cancer progression and reduce patient mortality. Among the diagnostic tools, in vivo staining is advocated as a simple, inexpensive, and fairly sensitive method.


METHODS
The present study involved the examination of 58 patients suspected of having oral malignant or precancerous lesions by methylene blue staining. The results of methylene blue uptake were compared with a simultaneous biopsy of these lesions. The pathologically confirmed precancers and cancers were the positive targets of this screening, while benign epithelial lesions were sorted as negative subjects of screening.


RESULTS
The results revealed sensitivity of 90%, specificity of 69%, positive predictive value of 74%, and negative predictive value of 87%.


CONCLUSIONS
We consider that methylene blue staining is a useful diagnostic adjunct in a large, community-based oral cancer screening program for high-risk individuals.
Chen
Ya-Wei
YW
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Department of Dentistry, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
Lin
Jiun-Sheng
JS
Wu
Cheng-Hsien
CH
Lui
Man-Tien
MT
Kao
Shou-Yen
SY
Fong
Yao
Y
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000175:diagnosis*; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008751:Methylene Blue; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013194:Staining and Labeling
D008751:Methylene Blue