The most important prognostic factor in predicting the outcome of oral and oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) is the stage at which it is diagnosed. Only 30% of patients are diagnosed with early-stage disease. The oral health care provider performs an important role in early diagnosis of oral cancer. The conventional oral examination consists of a visual and tactile assessment of accessible oral, and head and neck structures. Any suspicious or equivocal lesion should be reevaluated within 4 weeks. Evidence supporting the use of adjunctive devices to improve the ability to screen for and identify OPCs and oral premalignant lesions remains low.
Keywords: Adjunctive aids; Biopsy; Conventional oral examination; Squamous cell carcinoma.
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