The Sensitivity and Specificity of Oral Tumors and Premalignant Lesions Diagnosis by Otolaryngologists

Abstract

Background: Tumors of the oral cavity are under
estimated in general dental and medical practice,
some authors describe it as the forgetting disease,
others wondering if the attention paid to this disease
compared to its fatality (The 5-year survival rate is
about 50%) is enough for disease control? However;
this disease deserves a comprehensive assessment by
all dental and medical fields assumed to examine the
oral cavity regularly, especially otolaryngologist.
Objectives: To find out the sensitivity and specificity
of clinical examination in diagnosing oral tumors and
premalignant conditions by otolaryngologist.
Methods: Across sectional retrospective study was
conducted in the:
-study design: Cross sectional.
-settings: Ear Nose Throat (ENT)departments in
Al-kindy Teaching Hospital
and Al-Yarmouk Teaching Hospital.
On Patients attending ENT department with oral
presentation.
The outcome variables includes: The sensitivity,
specificity, positive predictive value (Pv+ve), negative
predictive value (PV-ve), and the accuracy of clinical
examination in diagnosing oral tumors and
premalignant conditions in ENT clinic.
Results: The results revealed a high sensitivity and
specificity for otolaryngologist in diagnosing
malignant conditions and premalignant lesions of the
oral cavity.
Conclusion: The study highlights the need for fixed
clinical criteria for early diagnosis of premalignant
conditions and oral tumors