Evaluation of the extent of interstitial fibrosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma compared with normal oral mucosa and oral epithelial dysplasia

Objective: to evaluate the extent of interstitial fibrosis in samples of normal oral mucosa (NOM), oral epithelial dysplasia (OED) and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Materials and method: descriptive study. eighteen samples of NOM, 15 samples of OED, and 13 samples of OSCC were analyzed; all stained with Masson's trichrome stain. the areas of greatest fibrosis underlying the normal, dysplastic, and malignant neoplastic oral epithelium were identified in order to determine the extent of interstitial fibrosis. interstitial fibrosis was classified according to its proportion in the total image, being 0 (without fibrosis), +1 (1-25 percent), 2+ (26-50 percent), 3+ (51-75 percent) and +4 (76-100 percent). variables were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test and Dunn's Pairwise post-hoc test. Results: the samples of NOM and OED did not present interstitial fibrosis (type 0) in the majority of the cases respectively. OSCC samples were characterized by an extension of type 2+ interstitial fibrosis in 45 percent of all cases of OSCC. the extent of interstitial fibrosis was different between NOM and OSCC (p<0.001), and between OED and OSCC (p<0.001). Conclusion: the extent of interstitial fibrosis is directly proportional to the malignization of the analyzed samples, being an adequate marker for OSCC.

Comparative Study of the Efficacy of Newer Antioxitands Lycopene and Oxitard in the Treatment of Oral Submucous Fibrosis

Objective: To compare the efficacy of oxitard and lycopene in the management of Oral Submucous Fibrosis (OSMF). Material and Methods: 120 subjects with clinicpathologically diagnosed OSMF were included in the study and divided equally in 2 groups, Group A (oxitard) and Group B (lycopene). Group A was administered 2 oxitard capsules twice daily and Group B was given 8 mg lycopene in 2 divided doses of 4 mg for 3 months. Gingival index and plaque index were documented for all patients and compared. Evaluation for different clinical parameters was done at regular intervals and data was analyzed using the Student's paired t test and Chi-square test. P-value <0.001 was considered to be statistically significant. Results: Clinical improvements in mouth opening and tongue protrusion was significant in Group A (p<0.001). Subjective symptoms of pain associated with the lesion (p=0.0001), difficulty in swallowing (p=0.0004) and speech (p=0.0002) significantly improved in the Group A. However, there was no significant improvement in burning sensation (p>0.001) among the 2 groups. Although the mean gingival index and plaque index in group A was reduced but it was found to be not statistically significant. Conclusion: Oxitard capsules can bring about significant clinical improvements in the symptoms like mouth opening, tongue protrusion, difficulty in swallowing and speech and pain associated with the lesion when compared to lycopene, thereby improving the quality of life of the affected individuals.

White lesions of the oral mucosa

A simple definition of a mucosal white lesion would be "a lesion which appears clinically whiter than the surrounding mucosa." Mucosal white lesions are to be taken seriously because a small proportion of these are known to possess malignant potential which often pose a diagnostic challenge even to an experienced clinician. Differentiation between white lesions with a potential is therefore of paramount importance. When in doubt, the clinician should always perform a biopsy of the lesion and seek a histopathologic report (AU)