Influence of Life Style Factors on Oral Potentially Malignant and Malignant Disorders: A Cross Sectional Study

The incidence of oral cancer has risen in the past decades and is usually recognised when symptomatic and at a late stage. A premalignant lesion is like smoldering volcano, which if not taken care of, may erupt, often with disastrous consequences. Early detection is therefore very important to reduce morbidity and mortality. A descriptive cross-sectional study was done to assess the prevalence, clinical presentation, and association of various addiction habits in the patients who presented with potentially malignant and malignant lesions of the oral cavity in outdoor clinics of ENT and HNS department of a tertiary care center in Jaipur (Rajasthan). 351 patients of different oral mucosal lesions were examined from August 2019 to January 2020 among which 173(49.2%) patients of potentially malignant and malignant lesions comprise the study group. Clinical findings and detailed history including addiction habits with frequency and duration were noted. Cytological and histopathological examinations were done to conclude the diagnosis. Out of 173 patients of the study group, 146(84.4%) were diagnosed with potentially malignant lesions (PMLs) and 27(15.6%) with malignant lesions (MLs). The most prevalent PML was Oral submucous fibrosis (23%) followed by leukoplakia (7.6%). The most common involved site was buccal mucosa (45.0%) followed by the tongue (26.5%). Tobacco consumption was the most prevalent addiction habit (80%) in the study group. High prevalence of tobacco abuse in patients with potentially malignant and malignant lesions suggested a strong relationship between two. It necessitates adequate awareness in the general population as well as early detection and management of these lesions by an expert Otolaryngologist.