Salivary Biomarkers for Detecting Oral Cancer

Oral cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer in the U.S. This terrible disease has a survival rate of about 60%. With an estimated 30,000 cases diagnosed annually, it is clear why the issue is concerning to many in the medical field. For a long time, oral cancer was incredibly difficult to diagnose, and when it eventually was, it was usually in the end-stage of the disease. Due to the difficulty in detecting it, a large number of patients diagnosed with oral cancer ultimately died.

This disease can prove to be quite devastating to survivors as well. The treatment of the later stages of cancer can completely change the patient’s life. These involve numerous radiation therapies and surgical procedures to remove the cancerous cells. It is not uncommon that these surgeries require the removal of parts of the jaw and sections of a patient’s neck, along with the lesions. The operations can leave the face, mouth, or jaw disfigured. After so many procedures, patients have to go through reconstructive surgery to live a normal life.

Detection

Previously, the detection of oral cancer was done in one of two ways. Either the patient noticed something in their mouth and mentioned it to a physician or a dentist. Or, a physician or dentist noticed that an area in the mouth did not look right. These could include subtle differences like discolored or raised areas. These were the earliest ways of identifying cancer, until technology introduced methods to read salivary biomarkers and detect oral cancer in its early stages.

The National Institute of Dental and Cranial Research was among the first to fund research for early detection. They funded UCLA and assisted in developing a test that could screen for oral cancer by analyzing the saliva of a patient. The test works by finding signature chemical markers for the disease.

How the Test Is Carried Out

The test is really simple to carry out, and it only requires some of the patient’s saliva. Saliva is filtered directly from the blood supply and carries a lot of information about our bodies. The results of the test can show highly specific and sensitive markers that distinguish the saliva of a cancer-free patient and a patient with oral cancer. These salivary biomarkers have enabled the medical field to detect oral cancer in very early stages. The earlier the disease is found, the higher the chances of successful treatment.

How Much Saliva Is Needed and How to Collect It

The procedure for collecting saliva is straightforward. Patients are instructed not to eat at least one hour before the test. When they come in, they are told to swish and spit out clear water. This is meant to ensure that the mouth is clear. They are provided with a 50 ml tube and are instructed to fill at least 5ml with saliva. Once the samples are collected, they can be taken to the lab, and the salivary biomarkers can be tested.