Oral cancer is a potentially fatal disease, which constitutes an important portion of tumors of the head and neck region. Among head and neck cancers, oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs) constitute 90% of total cancers. Regardless of the fact that the oral cavity is easily accessible to the accumulation of carcinogens, most oral cancers are typically detected at an advanced stage leading to lower survival rate among subjects. Abnormal cellular products elucidated from malignant cells can be detected and measured in various body fluids including saliva, which constitute tumor markers. Saliva, an aqueous biological fluid, is in direct contact with the oral cancer lesion. Hence, the saliva in any stage of oral cancer constitutes abnormal deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), acid (RNA), and protein molecules. Saliva, being a noninvasive diagnostic aid, can be an alternative to serum for early detection, status of chemotherapy regime, and also patient prognosis. This article aims at providing a brief overview of various salivary biomarkers and their implications in oral cancer.
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