EXFOLIATIVE CYTOPATHOLOGY IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF LESIONS OF THE ORAL CAVITY

Abstract

<h3>Objectives</h3> Early diagnosis is a priority activity to perform less aggressive treatments and improve survival in oral cancer. An activity that can contribute to the early diagnosis of lesions is exfoliative cytology. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the use of exfoliative cytology for the diagnosis of oral cavity lesions. <h3>Study Design</h3> This was a prospective, observational, cross-sectional, descriptive study of a series of cases, aiming to determine the contribution of exfoliative cytopathology in the preoperative diagnosis of lesions of the oral cavity. <h3>Results</h3> The study sample included 50 patients. In 70% of cases, the lesions were histologically interpreted as benign and 30% as malignant. When comparing the 2 methods of cytology, traditional and liquid-based, we obtained 100% sensitivity, 97% specificity, 97% accuracy, kappa = 0.91. Regarding the accuracy of the cytologic and histopathologic diagnosis, sensitivity was 86.6%, specificity 100%, positive predictive value 100%, negative predictive value 94.5%, kappa = 0.958, and accuracy 96%. <h3>Conclusions</h3> Traditional and liquid-based cytology methods were able to identify and classify cell changes with characteristics of malignancy. Cytology techniques have proven reproducible and, if well indicated, can be routinely used for the early detection of malignant lesions.