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Cancers
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Recent Studies on Oral Cancer: Diagnostic Technologies, Pathology, and Surgery
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Recent Studies on Oral Cancer: Diagnostic Technologies, Pathology, and Surgery

A special issue of Cancers (ISSN 2072-6694). This special issue belongs to the section "Clinical Research of Cancer".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 June 2026 | Viewed by 3620

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Luisa Limongelli

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70124 Bari, Italy
Interests: clinical dentistry; restorative dentistry; oral surgery; oral pathology; dental implantology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Gianfranco F. Favia

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70124 Bari, Italy
Interests: oral surgery; maxillo-facial surgery; oral pathology; salivary gland pathology; dental implantology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Fabio Dell’Olio

E-Mail
Guest Editor Assistant
Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70124 Bari, Italy
Interests: clinical dentistry; oral surgery; oral pathology; oral medicine; community dentistry

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Oral cancer is the cause of millions of deaths worldwide per year; therefore, further efforts by researchers are necessary to improve the diagnosis, targeted treatments and prognosis of such a malignancy.

The editors aim to gather the latest evidence on the diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for oral cancer and potentially malignant disorders; therefore, the editors invite you to contribute to the current Special Issue.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but not limited to) the following:

  • Oral cancer;
  • Oral squamous cell carcinoma;
  • Oral potentially malignant disorders;
  • Diagnostic technologies;
  • Oral surgery;
  • Maxillo-facial surgery;
  • Oncology;
  • Radiology;
  • Immunohistochemistry;
  • Molecular biology.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Luisa Limongelli
Dr. Gianfranco F. Favia
Guest Editors

Dr. Fabio Dell’Olio
Guest Editor Assistant

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Cancers is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • oral cancer
  • oral squamous cell carcinoma
  • oral potentially malignant disorders
  • diagnostic technologies
  • oral surgery
  • maxillo-facial surgery
  • oncology
  • radiology
  • immunohistochemistry
  • molecular biology

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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21 pages, 3935 KB  
Article
The HIV Protease Inhibitor Ritonavir Reverts the Mesenchymal Phenotype Induced by Inflammatory Cytokines in Normal and Tumor Oral Keratinocytes to an Epithelial One, Increasing the Radiosensitivity of Tumor Oral Keratinocytes
by Silvia Pomella, Lucrezia D’Archivio, Matteo Cassandri, Francesca Antonella Aiello, Ombretta Melaiu, Francesco Marampon, Rossella Rota and Giovanni Barillari
Cancers 2025, 17(15), 2519; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17152519 - 30 Jul 2025
Viewed by 371
Abstract
Background/Objectives: During the repair of a wounded epithelium, keratinocytes become invasive via the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process. Usually temporary and controlled, EMT persists in a chronically inflamed epithelium and is exacerbated in epithelial dysplasia and dysregulated in invasive carcinomas. Here we investigated the [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: During the repair of a wounded epithelium, keratinocytes become invasive via the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process. Usually temporary and controlled, EMT persists in a chronically inflamed epithelium and is exacerbated in epithelial dysplasia and dysregulated in invasive carcinomas. Here we investigated the effects that IL-1 beta, IL-6, and IL-8, inflammatory cytokines expressed in specimens from OPMDs and OSCCs, have on NOKs and OSCC cells. Methods: AKT activation and EMT induction were assessed along with cellular invasiveness. Results: IL-1 beta, IL-6, and IL-8 induced EMT in NOKs, ex novo conferring them invasive capacity. The same cytokines exacerbated the constitutive EMT and invasiveness of OSCC cells. Since these phenomena were accompanied by AKT activation, we tested whether they could be influenced by RTV, a long-used anti-HIV drug that was previously found to block the activation of human AKT and exert antitumor effects. We observed that therapeutic amounts of RTV counteract all the above-mentioned tumorigenic activities of ILs. Finally, consistent with the key role that AKT and EMT play in OSCC radio-resistance, RTV increased OSCC cells’ sensitivity to therapeutic doses of ionizing radiation. Conclusions: These preliminary in vitro findings encourage the use of RTV to prevent the malignant evolution of OPMDs, reduce the risk of OSCC metastasis, and improve the outcomes of anti-OSCC radiotherapy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Studies on Oral Cancer: Diagnostic Technologies, Pathology, and Surgery)
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16 pages, 1767 KB  
Article
Peri-Implant Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC): Clinicopathological Features and Staging Issues
by Luisa Limongelli, Fabio Dell’Olio, Antonio D’Amati, Eliano Cascardi, Marta Forte, Rosaria Arianna Siciliani, Alfonso Manfuso, Eugenio Maiorano, Gianfranco Favia, Chiara Copelli and Saverio Capodiferro
Cancers 2025, 17(13), 2149; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17132149 - 26 Jun 2025
Viewed by 670
Abstract
Background: Eighty-five percent of peri-implant malignancies are oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs), and most of them are misdiagnosed as peri-implantitis because of their clinical and radiological presentation; few studies have focused on addressing and solving the diagnostic issues related to peri-implant OSCCs. Objectives: [...] Read more.
Background: Eighty-five percent of peri-implant malignancies are oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs), and most of them are misdiagnosed as peri-implantitis because of their clinical and radiological presentation; few studies have focused on addressing and solving the diagnostic issues related to peri-implant OSCCs. Objectives: The study aimed to describe the clinicopathological features of peri-implant OSCCs and to report the staging issues related to the diagnosis of these lesions. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included patients who received a diagnosis of and treatment for peri-implant OSCCs at the Unit of Dentistry of the “Aldo Moro” University of Bari (Italy) from 2018 to 2024. By using descriptive statistics, the authors highlighted the diagnostic issues related to the clinical presentation, radiological features, and histology of peri-implant OSCCs. Results: A total of 13 women and 8 men with a mean age of 70.6 ± 11.7 years met the inclusion criteria; the medical history of the participants showed potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) in 52.4% of patients, whereas 14.3% had already developed an OSCC. The patients showed 24 peri-implant OSCCs; the clinical presentation was leuko-erythroplakia-like (41.7%) or erythroplakia-like (58.3%), thus simulating peri-implantitis; in addition, 52.0% of dental implants involved had a probing pocket depth ≥ 10 mm, further mimicking peri-implantitis. Panoramic radiograms and cone beam computed tomography were of little use in studying bundle bone–implant interfaces; in particular, the tomography showed circumferential bone resorption only in peri-implantitis-like OSCCs. In total, 91.6% of histological examinations of OSCCs showed peri-implantitis-like inflammation; early-stage lesions (pTNM I-II) accounted for 33.3%, whereas late-stage lesions (pTNM III-IV) accounted for 66.7%; lymph nodal metastases occurred in 25.0% and 62.5%, respectively. The mean follow-up was 3.4 ± 1.0 years; all patients with OPMDs had poorly differentiated tumors and thus showed a worse prognosis than those without OPMDs (mean disease-free survival of 15.5 ± 7.7 months and 44.7 ± 12.1 months, respectively). Conclusions: The results of the study showed that peri-implant OSCCs occurred most frequently in patients with OPMDs or previous OSCC; in addition, peri-implant OSCCs required demolition rather than conservative excision, and the prognosis of patients strictly depended on the grade of the cancer. In the authors’ experience, the clinical–radiological presentation simulating peri-implantitis was the feature that concurred most in complicating the diagnosis of those tumors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Studies on Oral Cancer: Diagnostic Technologies, Pathology, and Surgery)
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16 pages, 21457 KB  
Article
Virtual Tumor Mapping: A New Standard for Surgeon–Pathologist Collaboration in Treating Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma
by Adam Michcik, Maksym Jopek, Rafał Pęksa, Piotr Choma, Łukasz Garbacewicz, Adam Polcyn, Tomasz Wach, Maciej Sikora and Barbara Drogoszewska
Cancers 2024, 16(22), 3761; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16223761 - 7 Nov 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1423
Abstract
Background: The histopathological assessment is critical in the comprehensive treatment process for patients diagnosed with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). A detailed and precise specimen characterization is essential to facilitate effective surgeon–pathologist communication. Methods: In response to this need, a user-friendly virtual communication [...] Read more.
Background: The histopathological assessment is critical in the comprehensive treatment process for patients diagnosed with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). A detailed and precise specimen characterization is essential to facilitate effective surgeon–pathologist communication. Methods: In response to this need, a user-friendly virtual communication protocol utilizing a 3D scanner has been developed. This study involved 50 patients with OSCC, whose resected tumors were directly scanned in the operating room and subsequently annotated and characterized using available software. Results: The direct application of annotations and descriptions onto the virtual tumor specimens significantly enhanced the quantity and accuracy of information conveyed to the pathologist. Conclusions: The proposed solution’s repeatability and standardized approach make integration into routine clinical practice feasible, thereby establishing a potential new standard in the field. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Studies on Oral Cancer: Diagnostic Technologies, Pathology, and Surgery)
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Review

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20 pages, 1904 KB  
Review
Reconstruction of the Oral Cavity Using Facial Vessel-Based Flaps—A Narrative Review
by Emilia Lis, Weronika Michalik, Jakub Bargiel, Krzysztof Gąsiorowski, Tomasz Marecik, Paweł Szczurowski, Grażyna Wyszyńska-Pawelec, Andrzej Dubrowski and Michał Gontarz
Cancers 2025, 17(17), 2890; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17172890 - 2 Sep 2025
Viewed by 520
Abstract
Background: Reconstruction of oral cavity defects following oncologic surgery presents both functional and esthetic challenges. While microvascular free flaps remain the gold standard for large defects, local flaps based on facial vessels offer effective solutions for small-to-medium-sized reconstructions. This narrative review evaluates the [...] Read more.
Background: Reconstruction of oral cavity defects following oncologic surgery presents both functional and esthetic challenges. While microvascular free flaps remain the gold standard for large defects, local flaps based on facial vessels offer effective solutions for small-to-medium-sized reconstructions. This narrative review evaluates the clinical utility of three commonly used facial vessel-based flaps: facial artery musculomucosal, submental, and nasolabial flaps. Methods: A literature search was conducted using PubMed, targeting studies from 1981 to 2025 that described the anatomical basis, harvesting techniques, modifications, indications, advantages, disadvantages, complications, limitations, and outcomes of these flaps. A total of 73 full-text articles were included based on predefined inclusion criteria. Results: The FAMM flap provides versatile intraoral coverage with low donor site morbidity. The submental flap is effective in select patients, particularly those unfit for microvascular surgery, though its oncologic safety in neck-positive cases is limited. The nasolabial flap offers good esthetic and functional results with minimal external scarring. Each flap presents unique attributes regarding reach, vascularity, and complication profiles. Conclusions: Facial vessel-based flaps are viable and effective options for oral cavity reconstruction in appropriate clinical scenarios. Thorough knowledge of flap anatomy, indications, and oncologic considerations is essential for optimal outcomes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Studies on Oral Cancer: Diagnostic Technologies, Pathology, and Surgery)
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