Comparison of Salivary Sialic Acid Levels between Patients with Potentially Malignant Disorders of Oral Cavity and Healthy Subjects

Background& Objectives Many oral squamous cell carcinomas develop from potentially malignant disorders of the oral cavity1 and are an important target for cancer prevention. Studies shows reduction in tumor mass, recurrence and metastasis correlate well with changes of serum sialic acid levels in cancer patients and has been considered as a valuable tumor marker in monitoring the clinical status of the carcinoma patient. Sialic acid a constituent of salivary glycoproteins are released into the saliva through increased turn over, secretion, and / or shedding from malignant cells.2 This study aims to evaluate and compare the levels of salivary sialic acid (bound and non-bound) in patients with potentially malignant disorders of oral cavity and healthy subjects. Methods Unstimulated whole saliva of 1-2 ml was collected between 10 AM- 12PM, according to the method of Navazesh.7 Saliva sample was centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 15 minutes and estimation of sialic acid was done. Results The mean value of bound salivary sialic acid of oral potentially malignant diosrder group was 2.848 mg/dl with standard deviation of 0.289 while that of control group was 3.364 mg/dl with standard deviation of 0.376. The mean value of free salivary sialic acid of oral potentially malignant disorder group was 3.859 mg/dl with standard deviation of 0.554 and that of control group was 3.364 mg/dl with standard deviation of 0.376. The difference in salivary sialic acid in both groups was found to be significant (P