title: Epithelial maturation pattern of dysplastic epithelium and normal oral epithelium exposed to tobacco and alcohol: a scanning electron microscopic study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The detection of oral cancer at an early stage is an optimal strategy and is the most effective approach for preventing further progression. The rationale of the study was to evaluate the epithelial maturation pattern in oral mucosa exposed to tobacco/alcohol and on dysplastic oral mucosa using the scanning electron microscope.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifteen subjects were selected based on clinical examination and divided into three groups: group 1-patients with apparently normal oral mucosa; group 2-patients with oral mucosa exposed to tobacco/alcohol; group 3-patients with clinical diagnosis of leukoplakia. An incisional biopsy was performed from the buccal mucosa. One part of the specimen was prepared for light microscopy and the other part was prepared for scanning electron microscopy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Light microscopy revealed nonkeratinized stratified squamous epithelium in group 1, while group 2 demonstrated hyperparakeratinized stratified squamous epithelium with mild cytological atypia, and group 3 showed architectural and cytological changes. Scanning electron microscopy demonstrated flat-surfaced cells with equidistant parallel microridges in group 1, while group 2 showed irregular and widened microridges with numerous pits and absence of honeycomb pattern. Group 3 showed irregularly arranged broad and swollen cells with numerous pits and irregular microvilli projecting over the surface.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study establishes the relationship of the surface abnormalities to the tendency of the cells to become malignant and thus serves as a tool in early detection of squamous cell carcinoma. It also emphasizes the need of routine follow-up in these high-risk patients for progression of carcinoma.
authors: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors: Nithya
authors: N
authors: Jagannathan
authors: Pratibha
authors: P
authors: Ramani
authors: Priya
authors: P
authors: Premkumar
authors: Anuja
authors: A
authors: Natesan
authors: Herald J
authors: HJ
authors: Sherlin
mesh_terms: D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000473:pathology; D001706:Biopsy; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000431:Ethanol / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008871:Microvilli / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000431:Ethanol