Zinc and iron as bioindicators of precancerous nature of oral submucous fibrosis.

Oral Submucous Fibrosis (OSF) is a precancerous condition of oral cavity and oropharynx. Its etiopathogenesis is still obscure. Epithelial dysplasia is considered an important indicator of it. In the present study, the authors try to ascertain bioinorganic parameters as alternate indicators of malignant potential of OSF along with other clinicopathological attributes. They also try to identify causative factors. Thirty-six OSF patients, showing different degrees of epithelial dysplasia, and 12 normal individuals are studied with special reference to trace metal contents (Zn and Fe) in oral tissues. Statistical analyses of data indicate that trace metal contents can be regarded as an alternate indicator of the precancerous nature of OSF. Some clinicopathological attributes that are easier and cheaper to measure may also indicate OSF.