Journal of Carcinogenesis & Mutagenesis

Abstract

Oral Submucous Fibrosis: A Clinico-Histopathological Comparative Study in Population of Southern Rajasthan

Saurabh Goel, Junaid Ahmed, Mohit Pal Singh and Prashant Nahar

Background: Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is a precancerous condition associated with the use of betel/areca nut in various forms. It is characterized by restricted mouth opening, tongue protrusion and cheek rigidity.
Purpose: To correlate the clinical staging with histopathological grading in OSMF patients.
Material  and Methods: A hospital-based study was conducted on 100 OSMF cases. A detailed history of each patient was recorded along with clinical examination. Punch biopsy was performed for histopathological correlation. Clinical staging of the disease in terms of the ability to open one’s mouth was correlated with histopathological grading.
Results: The male to female ratio of OSMF cases was 5:1. All forms of areca nut products were associated with OSMF. Chewing of panmasala was associated with early presentation of OSMF as compared to chewing of other products of areca nut.
Conclusion: In the present study, statistical analysis showed that there is no signifi cant correlation between clinical staging and histopathological grading. The possibility of difference in the severity and extent of fibrosis in different regions of the oral mucosa and involved muscles were considered as contributory factors for this variation.