Tumor Markers in Oral Pathology

Cancer is a condition which claims the lives of thousands of people each year in which oral cancer has one of the worst survival rates, due to difficulty in early detection. Less than 50% of patients survive more than 5 years after diagnosis. If it is detected and treated early, survival of oral cancer is better than those of most cancers. Current diagnostic techniques involving observation, followed by biopsy (surgical sampling) if signs of deterioration are apparent, often cannot achieve early detection of cancerous change. Once a particular tumor has been found with a marker, the marker may be a marvel as a means of monitoring the success of treatment. The tumor marker level may also reflect the extent (the stage) of the disease, indicate how quickly the cancer is likely to progress and so help determine the prognosis. Thus, tumor markers help in early diagnosis of a cancerous and precancerous condition, thereby decreasing morbidity and mortality.