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. 2021 Jul 1;22(7):2273-2278.
doi: 10.31557/APJCP.2021.22.7.2273.

Evaluation of Role of Visual Inspection Using Acetic Acid (VIA) and Exfoliative Cytology in Screening and Early Detection of Oral Premalignant Lesions and Oral Cancer

Vasudha Singh  1 , Kachnar Varma  1 , Mudita Bhargava  1 , Vatsala Misra  1 , Mangal Singh  2 , Richa Singh  3
Affiliations

Evaluation of Role of Visual Inspection Using Acetic Acid (VIA) and Exfoliative Cytology in Screening and Early Detection of Oral Premalignant Lesions and Oral Cancer

Vasudha Singh et al. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. .

Abstract

Objective: Oral cancer accounts for 50-70% of total cancer mortality. VIA screening has drastically changed the morbidity and mortality related to cervical cancer. In present study, we assessed the role of 5% Acetic Acid as a vital stain in oral mucosa of chronic tobacco chewers, to know if it can help in early diagnosis and improved prognosis of oral malignancies and to assess the sensitivity and specificity of VIA and exfoliative cytology for screening of Oral premalignant and malignant lesions in high risk population with limited health care infrastructure.

Methods: This was an outpatient department based prospective study done in a tertiary hospital over a period of two years. 150 cases with a history of chronic tobacco use were evaluated. Visual inspection (VI) followed by VIA using 5% Acetic acid was done. Oral scrapes were taken for cytological examination followed by biopsy for histopathological evaluation, wherever possible.

Results: Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV and accuracy of VIA and Exfoliative cytology was 71%, 65%, 83%, 48%, 69% and 98%, 65%, 89%, 92%, 88% respectively keeping histology as gold standard.

Conclusion: Acetic acid along with exfoliative cytology can be used as simple, cost effective and convenient methods for mass screening of OPMDs and OSCC in high risk population where biopsy is not possible.<br />.

Keywords: Exfoliative cytology; OPMD; OSCC; acetic acid; early detection.

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Conflict of interest statement

Nil.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Clinical Image Showing Results of VI, VIA and Cytological Features in Dysplasias and OSCC. a, VI showing erythematous patch on left buccal mucosa; b, Same lesion showing diffuse blanching on VIA; c, ASCUS. Inset- Notching of nuclear membrane (arrow) (PAP, x400); d, LSIL; e, HSIL- Dyskeratosis (black arrow) and atypical mitosis (red arrow) (PAP, X400); f, OSCC-Atypical mitosis (black arrow), multinucleated tumour cell (red arrow) (PAP, x400)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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