Cytogenetic damage in exfoliated oral mucosal cells and circulating lymphocytes of patients suffering from precancerous oral lesions.

One hundred patients suffering from oral submucous fibrosis (OSF), oral leukoplakia (OL) and oral lichen planus (OLP) were studied for the cytogenetic damage in oral mucosal cells and in circulating lymphocytes along with their habit patterns. It was observed that OSF was largely associated with betel nut containing masticants while OL was associated with chewing or smoking habit. It was further observed that their exfoliated oral mucosal cells had significantly higher numbers of micronucleated (Mn) cells as compared to these of healthy normal subjects without any chewing or smoking habit. Similar cytogenetic damage in the form of increased sister chromatid exchanges (SCE) was observed in circulating lymphocytes indicating that the carcinogenic agents produce damage not only in target tissue but also in other host cells such as circulating lymphocytes.