Clinical, Cytological and Histopathological Correlation of Oral Mucosal Changes in Gutka Chewers - A Prospective Study

Background: Gutka chewing is the most and popular form of smokeless tobacco use in India. Epidemiological studies showed a strong association between smokeless tobacco use and oral precancerous lesions, carcinoma and other oral mucosal lesions. Aim and objectives: To know the patterns of clinical and pathological manifestations of oral mucosal lesions in Gutka chewers (patients) attending out-patient department of oral Medicine and Radiology at Govt. Dental college/ Hospital, Hyderabad, To assess the efficacy of the oral brush cytology in the detection of precancer and cancerous conditions of the buccal mucosa. Materials and methods: Oral mucosal lesions diagnosed in patients of both sexes with Gutka chewing habit were taken at Dept. of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Govt. Dental College, Hyderabad. Total 800 cases were studied from 2006 to 2017 (10 years study), Oral Brush cytology Procedure with papanicolaou staining procedure was used. Brush cytology results were divided into 3 groups: Negative brush cytology (normal or inflammatory smear), Positive brush cytology (Dysplasia positive smear), Atypical brush biopsy (Suspicious smear). Results: Out of 800 patients, males (80%) outnumbered females. Total no of controls 2246 with 51% were males. 75% were below 30 years of age. Higher percentage of cases (60%) belonged to the lower socio economic groups. Clinical diagnosis of sub mucosal fibrosis and carcinoma corresponding to histopathological confirmation is almost 100%. Conclusion: Oral brush cytology is useful in early detection of precancerous and cancerous conditions of the oral cavity lesions in Gutka chewers.