Washington D.C.: It is quite common that head and neck cancers are often diagnosed late. However, with the new research conducted in Germany, it is now possible to detect and diagnose the oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs), most common head and neck cancers, at an earlier stage.

The researchers, who tested mechanical properties of OSCC cells, found them to be 'softer' than benign cells. Lead authors Josef Käs and Torsten W. Remmerbach said, "Early diagnosis and treatment of OSCCs is essential to enabling recovery. But in up to 60 percent of cases, the diagnosis is late because the growth has not been recognised, or has been mistaken as harmless."