Early Detection of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Potentially Malignant Disorders

Document Overview

Document Title

Early Detection of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Potentially Malignant Disorders

Authoring Society

American Dental Association

Document Publication Date

Mar 3, 2026

Page Last Reviewed/Updated

May 6, 2026

Document Type

Guideline

Country of Publication

United States

Full Text Freely Available

Yes

Full Text Guideline

jada.ada.org/article/S0002-8177(26)00037-1/fulltext

Source Citation

Urquhart O, Bhosale AS, Martins-Pfeifer C, Verdugo-Paiva F, Carrasco-Labra A, Pimentel J, Sadek N, Agrawal N, Chaturvedi AK, Gurenlian J, Grayzel E, Kerr AR, Magalhaes M, Murdoch-Kinch CA, Pearson AT, Melville JC, Patel ASH, Villa A, Glick M, Lingen MW. Living evidence-informed guideline on the early detection of oral squamous cell carcinoma and potentially malignant disorders: Cytology adjuncts to determine the need for biopsy, Version 2026 1.0. J Am Dent Assoc. 2026 Mar;157(3):224-234. doi: 10.1016/j.adaj.2025.12.017. PMID: 41781073.

Martins-Pfeifer, Carolina et al. “Living evidence-informed guideline on the early detection of oral squamous cell carcinoma and potentially malignant disorders: Vital staining adjuncts to determine the need for biopsy, Version 2026 1.0.” Journal of the American Dental Association (1939), S0002-8177(26)00067-X. 6 Apr. 2026, doi:10.1016/j.adaj.2026.01.014

Document Scope, Criteria, and Use Cases

Document Objectives

These updated recommendations explore the use of four different adjuncts in early oral cancer detection. The first of a multi-part series exploring cancer detection methods assesses cytology adjuncts. Part two through four of the series will examine vital staining, light-based adjuncts, and salivary tests, respectively, to be published throughout 2026.

Early detection of oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMD) and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) can improve patient prognosis. Biopsy remains the reference standard for diagnosing OPMDs and OSCC, but advances in diagnostic technologies and living guideline methodologies have created a need for updated guidance on early cancer detection. Developed in collaboration with the Center for Integrative Global Oral Health at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine (Penn Dental Medicine), this first of a multi-part series exploring cancer detection methods provides recommendations on when cytology adjuncts may be appropriate.

Keywords

oral cancer

Inclusion Criteria

Male, Female, Adult, Infant

Health Care Settings

Ambulatory, Outpatient

Intended Users

Dentist, Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician, Physician Assistant