Review Article
Year: 2020 | Month: October | Volume: 7 | Issue: 10 | Pages: 563-571
Unification of Dental Science and Molecular Biology: A Better Approach for Oral Cancer Prevention
Alpesh Patel1, Kruti A Mehta2,3, Ashi R Thobias2,3, Prabhudas S Patel2, 3
1Departmentof Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Dean, Professor & Head, Goenka Research Institute of Dental Science, Piplaj, Gujarat- 382620, India
2Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Cancer Biology Department, The Gujarat Cancer & Research Institute, Ahmedabad, Gujarat-380016, India
3Professor& Head, Cancer Biology Department, The Gujarat Cancer & Research Institute
Asarwa, Ahmedabad-380 016, Gujarat, India
Corresponding Author: Prabhudas S Patel
ABSTRACT
Oral cancers are one of the most common cancers worldwide today. The five-year survival rate of oral cancer still remains low and delayed diagnosis is the major documented reason. Oral cancer satisfies the criteria for a suitable disease for screening. A dentist is the point of contact in heath system for any illness in oral cavity. The initial screening of oral cancer is done by visual examination. However this cannot efficiently screen patients at a probable risk. Hence, it is imperative to diagnose the disease at a molecular level. The detection and diagnosis are currently based on clinical examination, histopathological evaluation of the biopsy material and molecular methods. Several diagnostic aids have been developed over the years for early detection of oral cancer. Neither of the methods have individually proven to meritoriously screen oral cancer. Therefore, an integrative approach of dental science and molecular biology fraternities will aid in effectively combat oral cancer. The present article reviews the current trends in oral cancer diagnosis and screening and the beneficiary approach of amalgamation of dental science and molecular biology.
Keywords: dental science, molecular biology, oral cancer prevention.
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