Useful Diagnostic Techniques in Oral Cytopathology

Newer prognosticators like immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, autoradiography, DNA ploidy measurements are now on the forefront. However, cost and time factors make them less feasible. Properly standardized cytochemical methods with precise use can overcome these problems. The cytochemical methods such as AgNor counts and micronuclei frequency is simple and cost-effective methods and highly recommended for the assessment of cellular proliferative activity. Oral exofoliative cytology using Pap smear is useful in evaluation of epithelial atypia which is frequently encountered in premalignant and early malignant oral lesions. It's clear that Toombak dipping is high risk factor of oral cancer and to increase the cellular proliferative activity and DNA damage in the oral mucosa of the Toombak users.