Abstract

VIDAL, Aurora Karla de Lacerda et al. Conventional Cytology versus liquid-based cytology for prevention and early diagnosis of oral squamous cell carcioma (OSCC). Odontol. Clín.-Cient. (Online) [online]. 2011, vol.10, n.1, pp. 31-36. ISSN 1677-3888.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity, specificity, and concordance between conventional cytology and liquid-based cytology. A case-control study was developed at the Head and Neck ambulatory service of Hospital do Cancer de Pernambuco. A hundred and eighty-two patients with primary Oral Squamous Cellular Carcinoma (OSCC) (case group) and 179 individuals with normal buccal mucosa (control group) were selected, from September 2002 to January 2004. They agreed to be submitted to clinical examination and exfoliative cytology of the oral cavity, by signing a document of consent. The data were analysed by Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) and Epi-Info 6.4 program. Among the cases, the cytologic methods demontrated a sensitivity= 96.9% (IC= 95%: 92.5% to 98.8%), specificity= 75.0% (IC=95%: 21.9% to 98.7%), and accuracy= 96.3% (IC=95%: 92.5% to 98.5%). Among the controls the results were: sensitivity= 91.0% (IC=95%: 84.1% to 95.2%);, specificity= 57.5% (IC=95%: 41.0% to 72.6%), and accuracy= 82.7% (IC=95%: 76.3% to 88.0%). Conventional cytology and liquid-based cytology demonstrated a diagnostic concordance with histopathology of more than 90%. In conclusion if properly indicated and executed, they can be routinely used as complementary diagnostic methods. When compared to each other, conventional cytology and liquid-based cytology showed a high sensitivity and reasonable specificity, conventional cytology having higher specificity.

Keywords : Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC); Prevention; Diagnostic Methods; Conventional Cytology; Liquid-based Cytology.