Silver staining nucleolar organizer region [Agnor] typing in buccal mucosal cytology of smokers and non-smokers

ABSTRACT

Background: Argyrophilic nucleolar organizer region [AgNOR] size and distribution are related to malignant potential in a tissue or cell. Typing of AgNOR has been attempted in cytological specimens and found useful in grading dysplasia from mild to severe in oral lesions. This study was conducted in an attempt to find any difference between smokers and non-smokers oral mucosal cells as regards AgNOR size and distribution