A comparative study of biochemical markers in precancerous and cancerous subjects with normal healthy individuals in Gujarat Population

Introduction: Globally oral cancer is the sixth most common cause of the death with India accounts for 86% of the world's oral cancer cases.(1) Chronic use of tobacco, areca nuts and betel quid consumption results in progressive premalignant condition called oral sub mucous fibrosis.(2) Free radicals are released during the metabolism of tobacco and areca nut, that's associated cell damage, leads to an imbalance between the pro-oxidant and antioxidant states. This imbalance plays an important causative role in carcinogenesis.(3) This malignant transformation rate is around 7.6%.(4) Materials and Method: Total 150 patients are selected for this study, out of which 50 patients are diagnosed oral submucous fibrosis, 50 patients are oral cancer and 50 patients are healthy non tobacco consuming control were included. In this study oxidative stress, Ascorbic acid, α-tocopherol, copper, iron and acute phase protein were measured by using standard kit method. Result: Serum Melondialdehyde, C-reactive protein and copper concentration was found to be significantly higher (p < 0.05) as compared to healthy control due to the generation of free radicals by lipid peroxidation. Serum iron, Ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol were found to be significantly reduced (p < 0.001) than healthy control due to damage the epithelium and disturbance in collagen metabolism. Conclusion: Our observation suggested that serum Melondialdehyde, vitamin C, vitamin E can be used as marker of OSMF. Decreased Vitamin C & E is closely associated with increased Melondialdehyde, as the marker of oxidative stress is significant. Among the all trace elements, Serum copper and iron are highly significant markers for the early diagnosis of oral submucous fibrosis. The CRP Concentration is associated with development of oral cancer and also serves as a potential prognostic biomarker.