A study on oral mucosal changes among tobacco users

INTRODUCTION: Oral malignancies account for about 4% in males and 2% in females among all malignant tumors. Tobacco use in the oral cavity can cause potentially malignant disorders such as oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF), leukoplakia and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Factors such as lifestyle changes, habits and limited access to health care increase cancer development and morbidity. AIM AND OBJECTIVES: This study aimed at studying and correlating the oral mucosal changes among the tobacco users with the different forms of tobacco used. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four thousand and five hundred individuals were examined and patients with habits were categorized as Group A: only chewing, Group B: only smoking and Group C: smoking and chewing. A preformed case sheet with a detailed recording of the patient's habits was used for each individual. The suspected oral lesions were examined with care and a biopsy was taken (if needed) with patient consent. The collected data were compiled and statistical analysis was done. RESULTS: Among the three groups OSMF, chewer's mucositis, smoker's palate and OSCC were more compared to other lesions. CONCLUSION: OSCC, OSMF and chewer's mucositis were seen more among A and C Group individuals. Smoker's palate was more in Group B. All the lesions showed a strong correlation with increased usage of tobacco. Lesions were more among males compared to females as there were no females with smoking habits in the study. A future study with larger sample size and equal gender distribution in different population among various locations is to be carried out to get accurate details about the lesions associated with tobacco habits and to correlate between the types, frequency and duration of the habit with the tobacco usage.