Reported physical examination methods for screening of oral cancer and oral potentially malignant disorders: a systematic review

• Published in: Oral surgery, oral medicine, oral pathology and oral radiology Vol. 137; no. 2; pp. 136 - 152
• Main Authors: Louredo, Brendo Vinícius Rodrigues, de Lima-Souza, Reydson Alcides, Pérez-de-Oliveira, Maria Eduarda, Warnakulasuriya, Saman, Kerr, Alexander Ross, Kowalski, Luiz Paulo, Hunter, Keith David, Prado-Ribeiro, Ana Carolina, Vargas, Pablo Agustin, Santos-Silva, Alan Roger dos
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01-02-2024
• Subjects: Early Detection of Cancer - methods; Humans; Mass Screening - methods; Mouth Neoplasms - diagnosis; Physical Examination; Precancerous Conditions - diagnosis; Precancerous Conditions - pathology
• ISSN: 2212-4403; 2212-4411; 2212-4411
• DOI: 10.1016/j.oooo.2023.10.005

This systematic review aimed to describe the method followed during physical examination and the anatomical structures of the head and neck assessed in screening for oral cancer and oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs).
An extensive literature search was carried out using MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, LILACS, Web of Science, Cochrane databases, and gray literature. The risk of bias was available in all papers included.
Of 9,688 records identified, 27 were included in this review, reporting data from 356,250 individuals screened and distributed across 11 countries. Most of these (n = 19) were based on 1 round of screening conducted by a dental professional or other health care workers. Most screening programs included visual inspection and palpation of the lips, oral cavity, and the most visible oropharyngeal sites, but the descriptions reported were imprecise. Additional inspection and palpation of the neck (submental, submandibular, cervical, and supraclavicular regions) to assess for the presence of swellings and any palpable neck nodes were also performed in 15 programs.
In conclusion, there was considerable heterogeneity in the method of physical examination in screening programs for oral cancer and OPMDs among the included studies.