ORAL EXFOLIATIVE CYTOLOGY - REVIEW OF METHODS OF ASSESSMENT

The use of oral exfoliative cytology in clinical practice declined due to the subjective nature of its interpretation and because there may be only a small number of abnormal cells identifiable in a smear. The more recent application of quantitative techniques, together with adva nces in immunocytochemistry, have refined the potential role of cytolo gy, stimulating a reappraisal of its value in the diagnosis of oral ca ncer. This review considers the influence of the quantitative analysis of cytomorphology, DNA analysis and other tumour markers applied to o ral exfoliative cytological samples. These studies indicate that oral cytology may provide an important adjunct in the assessment of the pat ient with a potentially cancerous oral lesion.