ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Biomarkers which can predict disease progression and serve as prognostic indicators are necessary for better management of oral cancer. Studies have shown that Cholinesterase plays an important role in cellular proliferation, differentiation and may have a possible involvement in tumor growth. AIM AND OBJECTIVE: The present study is aimed to determine the utility of serum Butyrylcholinesterase (BChe) levels as a marker for progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) in relation to the grade of the tumor and to determine if any variation occurred in the levels of BChe before and after therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 120 patients were included in the study and divided into two groups as Group A-30 patients (healthy individuals) and Group B-90 cases of histopathologically diagnosed OSCC. The blood sample was collected before surgery, re-collected after the completion of radiotherapy (i.e., 3 and 6 months postsurgery) and analyzed biochemically for the concentration of BCh. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Paired t-test, ANOVA, and post hoc test (Bonferroni) were used for determining the statistical significance. RESULTS: BChe levels were lower in OSCC (2940.32-1405.50 u/l when compared with controls (11149.60-11243.07 unit/l) and this difference was statistically significant. Postoperatively at 3 months, the serum BChe levels of OSCC patients increased almost two-fold compared to the preoperative values, and this difference was also statistically significant (P = 0.000) After 6 months, these levels further increased but did not reach those of controls. CONCLUSION: BChe can be used as an inexpensive, easy to use, noninvasive biomarker for the evaluation of disease-free survival in OSCC patients.
Subject(s)
Biomarkers, Tumor/blood , Butyrylcholinesterase/blood , Mouth Neoplasms/diagnosis , Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/epidemiology , Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck/diagnosis , Adult , Biomarkers, Tumor/economics , Butyrylcholinesterase/economics , Case-Control Studies , Disease-Free Survival , Feasibility Studies , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Mouth Mucosa/pathology , Mouth Mucosa/radiation effects , Mouth Mucosa/surgery , Mouth Neoplasms/blood , Mouth Neoplasms/mortality , Mouth Neoplasms/therapy , Postoperative Period , Preoperative Period , Prognosis , Radiotherapy, Adjuvant , Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck/blood , Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck/mortality , Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck/therapyABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to evaluate post-biopsy pain using a questionnaire supported by a visual analog scale (VAS), and the role of pharmacological agents in pain relief. METHOD AND MATERIALS: Three hundred patients undergoing oral biopsy were included in the study and divided into three groups. Group A: Patients received no analgesic post biopsy, except when required (SOS). Group B: Patients received anesthetic mouthwash along with oral analgesic post biopsy. Group C: Patients received anesthetic mouthwash alone. The statistical analysis was done using statistical analysis software SPSS version 11.0. ANOVA was used to compare the VAS scores and hygiene status of the three groups, while Pearson's chi-square test was used for determining association between age, sex, educational status, and association of pain with biopsy site. RESULTS: A highly significant difference was found between the VAS scores of patients in Groups A, B, and C, and significant correlation was observed between hygiene status and degree of pain. CONCLUSION: Oral biopsy is definitely associated with pain, if proper medications are not deployed. Anesthetic mouthwash alone is sufficient to relieve the pain produced by oral biopsy. Direct correlation exists between hygiene status and the level of discomfort, thereby indicating that pain control is essential for good oral hygiene maintenance.
