Cancer Publishes GSDM Research
A paper titled, “Low Positive Predictive Value of the Oral Brush Biopsy in Detecting Dysplastic Oral Lesions,” was published in the March 1, 2009 edition of Cancer, the official journal of the American Cancer Society. This paper was authored by Vinodh Bhoopathi DPH 10; Professor, Director, and Chair of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology Dr. Sadru Kabani; and Professor and Director of the Division of Dental Public Health Dr. Ana Karina Mascarenhas.
The research presented in the article evaluates the effectiveness of the oral brush biopsy (OralCDx) as a diagnostic tool in detecting dysplastic oral lesions. OralCDx is one of several diagnostic tests that were developed to improve diagnosis of oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC). Ninety percent of oral cancers are OSCC.
The researchers evaluated pathologic reports of biopsies in patients who had previously tested “positive” or “atypical” for dysplasia by OralCDx. They concluded that the OralCDx technique has a low positive predictive value and produced a high number of false-positive results.
“The results of this research are very interesting,” said Dr. Mascarenhas. “We did not expect to find such a high number of false-positives. In light of this we suggest a detailed oral examination and referral to the appropriate dental or medical professional for further evaluation and possibly a scalpel biopsy.”
Bhoopathi will be presenting a lecture on this topic as part of the General Dentistry EBD Lecture Series on April 14 at 11:45 a.m. in room G-309.