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

OBJECTIVE

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).

STUDY

DESIGN

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.

RESULTS

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.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, there was considerable heterogeneity in the method of physical examination in screening programs for oral cancer and OPMDs among the included studies.