Evaluation of ABO blood groups in oral potentially malignant disorders and oral squamous cell carcinoma-a retrospective study in South Indian population

ABSTRACT

Context Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) has a multifactorial aetiology. Risk factors such as individual's lifestyle like chronic use of tobacco, spicy food, alcohol and smoking are associated with cancer. Recent studies have revealed the possibility of ABO blood group antigens role in development of cancer. Aims and objectives To detect and correlate ABO blood group type in oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) and OSCC and to compare the ABO blood group type among controls, OPMDs and OSCC. Materials and methods Study included 100 subjects, 35 cases each of OPMDs and OSCC and 30 controls. ABO blood grouping was carried out by standard agglutination method (Spanclone ARKRAY Health Care Private Limited) based on the principle of haemagglutination reaction. Results We found that OPMDs and OSCC subjects to be more prevalent among cases with B blood group. There was a significant variation in age (P=0.004), sex (P=0.004) and blood group (P= 0.003) among controls, OPMDs and OSCC. Conclusion ABO blood grouping may be used as one of the diagnostic marker for OPMDs and OSCC.