Non-Invasive Techniques for Early Detection of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Narrative Review

Abstract: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common malignant tumor of the oral cavity, accounting for the majority of oral cancers, and early detection is crucial for improving patient survival rates and prognosis. Traditional diagnostic methods have limitations, including invasiveness and diagnostic delays, and are insufficient for early detection and distinguishing between similar diseases. In recent years, with the rapid advancement of molecular biology and biotechnology, a variety of emerging non-invasive diagnostic approaches have provided new strategies for early screening and precise diagnosis of OSCC. This review summarizes the cutting-edge technologies in OSCC diagnosis in recent years, including biomarker-based detection (such as microRNA, circRNA, gene methylation, and salivary proteomics), oral microbiome analysis, optical imaging technologies combined with artificial intelligence, and more. These emerging methods not only offer non-invasive or minimally invasive advantages but also enable the detection of potential molecular changes in the early stages of the disease, allowing for early intervention. Despite the challenges in standardization, sensitivity, and specificity optimization that these new technologies face in clinical applications, they undoubtedly offer vast prospects for early detection and personalized treatment of OSCC. This review aims to achieve the following objectives: First, to systematically evaluate the latest research evidence on various emerging non-invasive diagnostic technologies; second, to comprehensively compare their advantages and limitations relative to traditional methods; and finally, to attempt constructing a clinical translation assessment framework for early-stage multimodal diagnostic technologies in OSCC, thereby guiding future translational strategies. Keywords: OSCC, emerging diagnostic approaches, biomarkers, oral microbiome, optical imaging