Researchers at the University of Surrey have created a non-invasive diagnostic tool for oral cancer.
PANDORA, a proof-of-concept test created by Surrey researchers, has been demonstrated to be over 92% accurate at detecting patients with oral squamous cell cancer (OSCC). Also, it was demonstrated that the test was more than 80% accurate at detecting patients with oral epithelial dysplasia or pre-cancer (OED). the test group, the research team collected cell samples from 79 individuals without cancer (including those with other benign tumors) and 40 individuals with OSCC and OED. The patients’ cells were measured and examined using a device called a DEPtech 3DEP analyser that had a special setup routine. In order to identify patients who require specialized care, samples could be taken at a dentist’s office and sent off for analysis.
A frequent kind of cancer that affects the cells lining the mouth and throat, oral squamous cell carcinoma is connected to lifestyle choices including smoking, having poor oral hygiene, or drinking alcohol. Symptoms can include recurrent mouth sores, swallowing issues, and verbal variations. If found early, OSCC is curable, but if found later, the prognosis is dismal.
Oral epithelial dysplasia, which is similar to oral squamous cell carcinoma, is a precancerous condition in which the mouth’s lining cells exhibit aberrant changes in size, shape, and arrangement as a result of smoking, alcohol usage, or poor dental hygiene. Because oral cancer may eventually grow from the disease, it is considered to be precancerous.
