Oral Submucous Fibrosis a study of Prevalence Potential Biomarkers of Malignancy and Chemopreventive Agents In vitro

Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) is a chronic progressive, precancerous condition of the oral mucosa, which is associated with areca nut chewing habit widely prevalent in India and South-East Asia. It is clinically characterized by burning sensation of the oral mucosa accompanied by pallor and progressive, irreversible fibrosis leading to difficulty in opening the mouth, speech and swallowing. It is a potentially malignant condition. The main histopathological feature of OSF is the increased deposition of newlinecollagen in the oral mucosa, due to a collagen-metabolic disorder, resulting from newlineexposure to the areca nut alkaloids. Other histopathological changes in established newlineOSF include reduced vascularity, reduced number of inflammatory cells, and subepithelial hyalinization. newlineIn the background of the wide prevalence of areca nut use in its various forms, newlineregional variations in its use, easy availability of areca nut products, the irreversible fibrosis and associated morbidity, its potential for malignant transformation and the relative paucity of data on this habit in Tamilnadu, this study was done in a Dental institution in Chennai. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:To study the prevalence of OSF, different type of chewing habits, and their relation in a hospital based population. To study potential surrogate biomarkers of malignant transformation in OSF by evaluating immunohistochemically the following antigens in the epithelium:RESULTS: The results of the study highlight the increasing use of pan masala by the younger individuals. The use of these products is associated with earlier onset of OSF, which could lead to increased incidence of cancer in the younger age group: a trend that has been observed in certain parts of India. These findings highlight the need for intervention programs targeted at the younger individuals and creation of increased public awareness of the harmful effect of these products. This is all the more important because of the recalcitrant nature of OSF and absence of effective treatment for OSF as of date