Utility of toluidine blue in oral premalignant lesions and squamous cell carcinoma: Continuing research and implications for clinical practice

• Published in: Head & neck 2007-10, Vol.29 (10), p.948-958
• Main Authors: Epstein, Joel B., Sciubba, James, Silverman Jr, Sol, Sroussi, Herve Y.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Biopsy - methods; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - diagnosis; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - genetics; Coloring Agents; Decision Making; early detection; Early Diagnosis; Humans; Loss of Heterozygosity; Medical sciences; Mouth Neoplasms - diagnosis; oral cancer; oral premalignant lesions; Oropharyngeal Neoplasms - diagnosis; Oropharyngeal Neoplasms - genetics; Otorhinolaryngology. Stomatology; Precancerous Conditions - diagnosis; Precancerous Conditions - genetics; Tolonium Chloride; toluidine blue; Tumors; Upper respiratory tract, upper alimentary tract, paranasal sinuses, salivary glands: diseases, semeiology
• ISSN: 1043-3074; 1097-0347
• DOI: 10.1002/hed.20637

Toluidine blue (TB) has been shown to aid in the detection and diagnosis of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and oral premalignant lesions (OPLs). TB has been shown to enhance visualization of oral lesions and assist in identifying sites of increased risk of dysplastic/malignant change and promote biopsy. TB has been shown to identify lesions with molecular changes associated with risk of progression of OPLs to OSCC. A recent prospective longitudinal study showed TB retention in histologic benign lesions and lesions with mild dysplasia that are at increased risk of progression to cancer. Clinical trials show that TB is useful in identifying asymptomatic OSCC and premalignant lesions at risk of progressing to SCC, which might otherwise be undetected until lesions become more advanced. The data supports TB use in oral examination of patients at risk of OSCC. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 2007