Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 14, 2026

Author Spotlight: Unlocking the Mysteries of Oral Potential Malignancies
Published on: August 11, 2023
Dysplastic features relevant to malignant transformation in atrophic epithelium of oral submucous fibrosis: A
Sachin C Sarode1, Minal Chaudhary2, Amol Gadbail3
1Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Dr. D. Y. Patil Dental College and Hospital, Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune, India.
Background:
The grading of oral epithelial dysplasia (OED) is not applicable to oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) cases due to the presence of atrophic epithelium. The mucosal margins associated with resected OSCC specimens are often closely related to transformed cells. In this study, we compared the histomorphological alterations (dysplastic features) in the atrophic epithelium of OSMF patients with the mucosal margins of OSCC associated with OSMF (OSCC-OSMF).
Methods:
We evaluated 17 dysplastic features in 37 patients with OSMF (biopsy site: buccal mucosa) and 37 patients with OSCC-OSMF (mucosal margins involving buccal mucosa) using histopathological staining.
Results:
Dysplastic features, such as keratin pearls within rete ridges, nuclear pleomorphism, and atypical mitotic figures, were not observed in the epithelium of the OSMF or OSCC-OSMF groups. Basal cell hyperplasia (P = .016), abnormal superficial mitosis (P = .010), increased nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio (P = .034), and hyperchromasia (P = .031) were predominantly seen in the OSCC-OSMF group. We found no statistically significant differences in the following parameters: irregular epithelial stratification (P = 1.00), loss of basal cell polarity (P = .237), presence of drop-shaped rete ridges (P = .077), increased number of mitotic figures (P = .154), premature keratinization in single cells (P = .499), anisonucleosis (P = .289), anisocytosis (P = .079), cellular pleomorphism (P = .317), and increased number and size of nucleoli (P = .129).
Conclusion:
Increased basal cell layer hyperplasia, abnormal superficial mitosis, increased nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio, and hyperchromasia are high-risk features for OSMF, and affected patients should be followed on a priority basis for the early detection of OSCC.
Related Concept Videos
Bacterial Transformation
Griffith made an unexpected discovery when he killed the pathogenic strain and mixed its remains with the live, non-pathogenic strain. Not only did the mixture kill host mice, but it also contained living pathogenic bacteria that...
Cystic Fibrosis: Pathogenesis
CF is primarily caused by a genetic mutation in a chromosome 7 gene coding for the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. The most common gene mutation leading to CF is the ΔF508 mutation,...
Oral Cavity
Teeth: The teeth are the hardest structures in our bodies. Humans have two sets of teeth throughout their lifetime: deciduous (baby) teeth and permanent teeth. Each tooth consists of several parts: the crown (visible part), the root (embedded in the jaw), enamel (hard outer...
Transformers
The iron core has a substantial relative permeability. Therefore, the magnetic field lines generated due to the current in one winding are almost entirely confined within the core, such that the same magnetic flux permeates each turn of both...
Transformation
Toxidromes: Clinical Features

