The exfoliative cytology of malignant neoplasm of oral cavity in tobacco addicts

Conclusion

One could conclude from the above observations that in diagnosis of oral cancer among tobacco addicts in India exfoliative cytology is more reliable in smokers, less in those who use a quid and least in those who chewed tobacco with betel leaves. A negative cytologic report in presence of a lesion clinically diagnosed as malignant recourse must always be taken to biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. The advantage of a positive cytologic diagnosis to confirm a clinical suspecion lies in the fact that patients often agree to allow collect of swabs for the purpose more willingly. This is significant when dealing with a rural and uneducated population who are often relcutant to submit for biopsy and histological diagnosis; this was particularly true if the lesion was small and symptomless.