Current Diagnosis and Management of Oral Cancer: Challenges, Advances, and Multidisciplinary Integration

A special issue of Diagnostics (ISSN 2075-4418). This special issue belongs to the section "Clinical Diagnosis and Prognosis".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 28 February 2026 | Viewed by 19

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
Interests: oral diseases; oral medicine; clinical dentistry; special care dentistry
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Oral cancer remains a significant global health challenge, with the annual incidence of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) in 2020 reaching 377,713 cases worldwide, and a disproportionate burden observed across Asia, where access to dental professionals and specialist care remains limited in many regions. Despite notable advances in oncologic therapy, surgery, and imaging, overall survival rates have improved only marginally in recent decades—largely due to delays in diagnosis, limited awareness, and fragmented care pathways. This Special Issue revisits the current landscape of OSCC diagnosis and management through a multidisciplinary lens, with particular emphasis on early detection by non-specialists, such as general dental practitioners or community healthcare providers, and the emerging role of artificial intelligence (AI) in enhancing diagnostic accuracy and vigilance. The role of salivary diagnostics, brush cytology, and other non-invasive tools is especially relevant in under-resourced settings, offering feasible options for initial triage or follow-up when biopsy is delayed or unavailable. Moreover, the early recognition of recurrences and metastases, particularly local recurrences, which are unfortunately common during the first 2–3 years after initial treatment, presents an urgent unmet need where AI-assisted monitoring and coordinated care could play a pivotal role. Equally critical is the growing need to address digital health misinformation, which can influence patients’ willingness to undergo biopsy, surgery, or adjuvant therapy. This Special Issue aims to consolidate high-quality research and expert perspectives on OSCC by fostering collaboration among general dentists, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, oncologists, radiation therapists, oral medicine specialists, oral pathologists, and primary care physicians. We invite submissions addressing molecular and histopathologic features of OSCC, salivary biomarkers and field cancerization, AI-assisted screening, diagnostic tools in general practice, ethical and communication challenges, and models of multidisciplinary tumor board–driven decision-making. By exploring these diverse yet interconnected domains, we hope to advance both scientific knowledge and clinical implementation, particularly in low-resource environments. We look forward to your contributions.

Warm regards,

Dr. Eleni A. Georgakopoulou
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • oral cancer
  • early diagnosis
  • oral squamous cell carcinoma
  • artificial intelligence
  • oral potentially malignant disorders
  • multidisciplinary management
  • tumor board
  • oral pathology
  • misinformation
  • dental screening

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This special issue is now open for submission.
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