Comparison of cytological findings of the buccal mucosa between smokers and non smokers

Abstract

 Comparison of cytological findings of the buccal mucosa between smokers and non smokers

 

  Dr. Azimi-Ho seaini S.,¹ Dr. Mashhadi-Abbas F.,² Dr. Kharrazifard MJ.,³ Dr. Ebrahimifard T.,⁴ Dr. Rafieian N.⁵

 ^ 

  ¹ Associate Professor, Department of Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences. Tehran, Iran. ² Assistant P rofessor, Department of Oral P athology ,^ School of Dentistry, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences. Tehran, Iran. ³ Dentist, Member of Dental Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Tehran, Iran .^ 4 Assistant Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology , School of Dentistry, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences. Zahedan, Iran. ⁵ Assistant Professor, Department of Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry, Hamedan University of Medical Sciences. Hamedan, Iran.

  

  (Received 6 Feb, 2010 Accepted 7 Sep, 2010)

  

  Abstract

  

  Background and Aim : In the past few years an alarming rise in the occurence of oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma which now comprises 3% of all cancers in men and 2% of all cancers in women has been seen. Tobacco smoking is a single most well-known and important risk factor for squamous cell carcinoma in oral cavity. However, the pathogenesis, especially the initial changes brought about by smoking is not fully understood.

  The aim of this study is to compare cytological findings of apparently normal buccal mucosa among smokers and nonsmokers based on samples obtained by brush biopsy.

  Materials and Methods : Thirty-eight smokers and 42 nonsmokers, who did not show any conspicuous oral lesions were evaluated in a cross-sectional study. The specimens were taken from healthy and apparently normal buccal mucosa by a commercial cytobrush. Cytologic evaluation of biopsy specimens in terms of frequency of dysplasia/neoplasia, granular cells, binuclear cells, coarse chromatin, clear nucleus, apoptotic cells, pleomorphism in nuclear and cytoplasmic morphology was performed. Chi square test was used for comparison and analysis.

  Results : Studied samples included 80 men (mean age, 40 years) in both groups. There was no dysplastic or neoplastic changes in any of the groups. Cytologic studies demonstrated that clear nucleus, coarse chromatin and the frequency of nuclear pleomorphism showed statistically significant differences between the two groups (P<01, P<001 and P<01 respectively).

  Conclusion : Buccal mucosa of smokers showed some differences compared to samples from nonsmokers. However, the clinical significance of these changes is uncertain.

 

  Key words : Smoking - Brush biopsy - Oral cancer - Scalpel biopsy - Oral mucosa

 

  Corresponding Author : Dr. Rafieian N ., Assistant Professor ,^ Department of Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry, Hamedan University of Medical Sciences. Hamedan, Iran.

  e.mail: rafieiann@yahoo.com