Emerging Diagnostic Strategies for Oral Cancer and Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders: A PRISMA-Guided Scoping Review

Early detection remains the most decisive factor in improving outcomes for oral cancer and oral potentially malignant disorders. However, reliance on conventional biopsy-based pathways presents some practical and biological limitations. This scoping review aimed to map recent advances in non- and minimally invasive diagnostic approaches and to clarify how these innovations are being positioned within clinical workflows. Following PRISMA-ScR guidance, PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched for English-language original studies published between 2020 and 2025. Two independent reviewers screened and charted data on technologies, biomarkers, sampling sources, and clinical applications. Forty-nine studies were included. The literature clustered around four main domains: enhanced cytology (including liquid-based platforms and DNA ploidy analysis), multilayer liquid biopsy strategies (miRNA, cfDNA/ctDNA, methylation panels, and autoantibodies), optical and nanotechnology-based systems (Raman/SERS and sensor platforms), and artificial intelligence-driven decision support tools. Across modalities, a shared emphasis on rapid triage, risk stratification, and follow-up monitoring was evident. Nonetheless, variability in sampling, processing, analytical thresholds, and reporting standards limited cross-study comparability. Recent innovations point toward integrated, panel-based diagnostic models. Broader clinical adoption will require methodological standardization and robust multicenter validation.