The adjunctive role of toluidine blue in detection of oral premalignant and malignant lesions.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To review the literature on toluidine blue (TBlue) and to discuss the utility of TBlue in assessing and in clinical management of patients with oral mucosal lesions. The literature search was conducted using key word search including oral cancer, oral premalignant lesions, and TBlue and by selecting references from the articles reviewed.

RECENT FINDINGS: The findings of this review show that TBlue has utility as an adjunct in the detection of premalignant and malignant oral mucosal lesions and in identifying high-risk areas of lesions for biopsy in patients at increased risk of cancer when evaluated by experienced healthcare workers.

SUMMARY: TBlue positive lesions, whether histologically benign or with dysplasia, predict molecular change and behavior of oral premalignant lesions. TBlue may provide information regarding lesion margins, accelerate the decision to biopsy, guide biopsy site selection and treatment of oral premalignant and malignant lesions. These findings support the utility of TBlue as a clinical adjunct in assessment of oral mucosal lesions.