title: Assessing extent of single stranded DNA damage in oral mucosal cells of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma and its correlation with TNM staging.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study was carried out on the assumption that oral mucosal cells might show DNA damage in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the extent of DNA damage in oral smears of patients with OSCC and determine correlation if any of the extent of DNA damage to TNM staging of oral cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomized controlled study at a regional cancer centre was designed for this project. Smears were taken from lesion proper of 30 patients with OSCC and from the buccal mucosa of 30 normal healthy volunteers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Collected cells were centrifuged and single-cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) assay was performed. DNA damage was visualized under a fluorescent microscope. Statistical analysis used : Mean DNA damage levels of both the groups were measured and statistically analyzed with students' test. The extent of DNA damage was correlated with the TNM stages by employing the one way ANOVA 'F' technique.
  
  
  RESULTS
  High statistical significance (P < 0.0001) was found in DNA damage levels between control and study groups. A stepwise increase in DNA damage levels with high statistical significance (P < 0.005) was also found between all the TNM stages.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Statistically significant increased DNA damage levels in OSCC patients and their correlation to clinical staging suggest that comet assay may be used effectively to assess the prognosis of OSCC.
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Sciences, College of Dentistry, University of Ha'il, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, .
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Bhagwath
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chandra
mesh_terms: D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D020552:Comet Assay / Q000379:methods; D003581:Cytodiagnosis / Q000379:methods; D053904:DNA Breaks, Single-Stranded; D004277:DNA, Single-Stranded / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000166:cytology; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D060787:Neoplasm Grading; D009367:Neoplasm Staging
chemical_list: D004277:DNA, Single-Stranded