Serum Lipid Profile: A cellular signature in occurrence and progression of potentially malignant disorders and oral cancer

Introduction and objectives: Serum lipid profile is used to measure the systemic health status of an individual. The objective of the study was to evaluate and correlate serum lipid profile in patients with potentially malignant disorders, oral cancer and controls. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on a sample of 150 subjects in which the subjects were divided into three groups with 50 subjects in each group. The subjects in Group I were Controls (CT) Group II were Potentially Malignant Disorder (PMD) and Group III were Oral Cancer (OC). Out of 150 subjects 50 subjects were diagnosed as potentially malignant disorder and 50 were diagnosed as oral cancer based on histopathological diagnosis. Results: When results of group III were compared and correlated to subjects of group I, a decrease in TC, HDL, LDL and VLDL was elicited. When results of group II were compared and correlated to subjects of group I, a decrease in TC, HDL, LDL and VLDL was elicited. Triglycerides, was not significantly altered in the study. Interpretation and Conclusion: The results of our study showed an evidence of an inverse relationship between serum lipid profile and oral cancer and potentially malignant disorders. The lower serum lipid status may be considered as an indicator to reflect the initial changes occurring in neoplastic cells, thus substantiating their use as a diagnostic adjuvant in monitoring the oral cancer and potentially malignant disorder.