Comparative Evaluation Of Toluidine Blue Vital Staining And Degree Of Epithelial Atypia In Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders, Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma, And Normal Oral Mucosa : An In Vitro Study

Abstract

Background: Oral cancer is the most common cancer in India with an incidence of 12.6 per 100,000 population with 50-70% of mortality. Oral Squamous cell carcinoma can be treated successfully on early diagnosis.

Aims: To compare the staining intensity of toluidine blue with degree of atypia in Potentially Malignant disorders and Squamous Cell Carcinoma. To evaluate the cellular atypia in patients with habits without lesion.

Settings and Design: The study was designed as a case-control study among patients visiting dental outpatient department. The study group comprises of two groups I and II. Group I consist of 156 patients with oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) and Oral Squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Group II consists of 68 patients with habits but without clinically visible lesions.

Materials and Methods: The two groups were clinically examined and categorized. Toludine blue staining followed by exfoliative cytology were taken.

Result: Chi square test revealed significant correlation between cytologic finding and toluidine blue stain intensity (P<0.001). Sensitivity and specificity of toluidine blue staining showed 42% and 87%.

Conclusion: Cytological diagnosis using Toluidine blue staining techniques may be useful in early detection and is a relatively inexpensive chairside method. It has been emphasized as anon invasive adjunct for the diagnosis of oral potentially malignant disorders and oral cancers.