Role of Caricinogens In Oral Cancer: A Micronucleus Study.

ABSTRACT

Background: The three most common fatal cancers were oral, stomach, lung in men. Tobacco related cancers represented 42% in male and 18.3% in female cancer deaths. Poly cyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) is the carcinogen present in tobacco leads to squamous cell carcinoma of oral cavity. Context and purpose of the study To study the genotoxicity of tobacco and alcohol on the buccal mucosa of alchoholics, smokers and betel nut chewers which is indicated by increased Micro nuclei. 20 persons having the habit of consuming alcohol and smoking and betel nut chewing were compared with 20 controls. After getting the informed consent the material was collected and stained for MN Assay. Results: MN frequency in alcoholic, smokers, betel nut chewers were found to be significant with the ‘P’ value of <0.05 in our study. Conclusion: The present study has revealed that there is a correlation of significant increased frequency of micro nucleus present in users of (1) alcohol and smoking in combination (2) betel nut chewers as compared to normal counterparts, indicating strong cytogenetic damage which may lead to cancerous proliferation. Tobacco can be considered as a leading carcinogenic agent for causing DNA damage which is indicated by increased micro nucleus. Implication The present micro nuclear study shows a feasible and economical method which could be used as a screening test in population having the habit of alcohol and smoking or betel nut chewing for identifying the effects of genomic instabilities and to introduce timely interventional strategy in order to treat and control the epidemic.