Abstract Early recognition of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is essential to improving survival. The diagnostic processes currently in use depend mainly on procedures that may be invasive and/or introduce a degree of subjectivity. Raman spectroscopy represents a possible approach to potentially offer a quick, non-invasive, and chemically specific approach for evaluating biological tissues and biofluids. Therefore, this review evaluated the diagnostic capabilities of Raman spectroscopy and modified spectroscopic methods to determine whether they could detect oral cancer. The review conducted a comprehensive search of eligible studies published between 2015 and 2025 across major databases and pooled them if they reported valid diagnostic capability. The review indicated that Raman spectroscopy has a strong diagnostic accuracy, with pooled values of sensitivity = 90% and specificity = 89%. However, overall, the diagnostic accuracy varied considerably depending on a number of factors, including the modality utilized, the conditions in which spectra were acquired, and the preparations of samples. Collectively, this review suggests Raman spectroscopy displays promise as a highly effective adjunct approach in detecting OSCC in a non-invasive fashion. Standardizing spectral methodologies and utilizing larger multi-site studies are the next necessary steps for wide clinical applicability.
Purohit et al. (Wed,) studied this question.
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