Serum total sialic acid and carcinoembryonic antigen as biomarkers in diagnosis and stratification of oral squamous cell carcinoma, oral submucous fibrosis, and periodontitis: a prospective cross-sectional analytical study

Serum TSA and CEA are promising biomarkers for the early diagnosis and differentiation of OSCC and OSMF. TSA also helps distinguish periodontitis associated with OSCC from periodontitis without OSCC. Their significant association with clinical stage and histopathological grade underscores their potential role in disease progression assessment. Future studies should explore these findings in larger populations and combining the present data point of care diagnostics can be conceptualized.