Exfoliative cytology as a tool for monitoring pre-malignant and malignant lesions based on combined stains and morphometry techniques.

Background: Prevention and early diagnosis have the greatest potential for public health and are the most effective method in the long-term to control oral cancer. The aim was to apply PAP staining together with AgNOR staining and morphometric analysis in oral exfoliative cytology, to determine the sensitivity and specificity of these methods in the detection of malignant changes for the purposes of both initial population monitoring and follow-up.

Methods: AgNOR, Papanicolau, and morphometric tests were conducted in samples of patients with oral cancer, oral potentially malignant disorders and controls (opposite side of lesions).