Malignant transformation of oral submucous fibrosis

Several studies have demonstrated an independent association of deleterious oral habits such as smoking, betel quid chewing, and chewing tobacco with the occurrence of oral cancer. The potentially malignant conditions such as oral submucous fibrosis (OSF), leukoplakia, erythroplakia associated with smoking, and smokeless tobacco, have a greater prevalence in our country. OSF has high cancer turnover potentiality and if detected early can be prevented and treated successfully. Pindborg et al. demonstrated a malignant transformation rate of 4.5%. From the same area and patient group, 66 patients with OSMF were followed up for a period of 17 years by Murti et al., who recorded a malignant transformation rate of 7.6%. With a longer follow-up of the same group, the malignant transformation rates could increase further. Hereby, we are presenting a case series of patients on gutkha habit who reported to our department with OSF, the most common premalignant condition along with presence of a suspicious mass which on histopathologic examination diagnosed as oral squamous cell carcinoma.