Oral Submucous Fibrosis: An Issue of Carcinogenesis

Oral Submucous fibrosis is a chronic progressive debilitating disease and often considered to be a potentially malignant disorder. Development of epithelial dysplasia in oral sub mucous fibrosis is debatable and the role of epithelium and connective tissue bed in its initiation, progression and promotion had been studied by various authors. Changes in epithelium of oral sub mucous fibrosis are thought to be dependent on vascularity and nourishment of underlying stroma but recent analytical studies related to Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase (iNOS) activity and microvasculature raised questions against them. This brief note simplifies the pathogenesis and mechanism of carcinogenesis in oral sub mucous fibrosis where one of the etiological components (areca nut) has played its perfect role. Keyword: Oral Submucous Fibrosis;Chronic Progressive;iNOS;Carcinogenesis;Apoptosis;Micro Vasculature;Precancerous Conditions; Manish Sharma, Gaganjot Kaur Sharma. Oral Submucous Fibrosis: An Issue of Carcinogenesis. International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology; 2012:3(3):68-71. ©International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology. Published by Publishing Division, Celesta Software Private Limited. All Rights Reserved. Received on: 22/11/2011 Accepted on: 18/03/2012