Quantitative estimation of Serum Fibrinogen Degradation Product levels in Oral Premalignant and Malignant lesions.

BACKGROUND A specific association between cancer and the hemostatic system has been recognized for decades. Fibrinogen degradation product (FDP) is one of the factors, which opposes coagulation causing fibrinolysis. The mechanism of fibrinolysis can be used by the malignant cells to facilitate invasion into surrounding tissues and metastases to distant organs by breaking the fibrin barrier. The coagulation cascade also plays an important role in both the formation of tumour stroma and the promotion of hematogenous metastasis. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the serum FDP levels in individuals without any oral lesions and those with oral premalignant and malignant lesions, and determine whether the estimation of the same can be used as an aid in early diagnosis. MATERIALS & METHODS 25 cases each of Leukoplakia, Oral submucous fibrosis and Oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC) and normal control cases were selected. The OSCC cases were staged according to the TNM classification. Diagnosis of all cases was confirmed by histopathological examination. The aspirated serum was then subjected to the Thrombo-Wellco test which was used for the biochemical analysis of FDP. RESULTS Increased serum FDP levels were seen corresponding to the stage of the OSCC, but no appreciable difference was noted between the histological grades or in cases of premalignant lesions. CONCLUSIONS The study demonstrates that FDP levels correlate with the cancer stage and progression. Thus, the estimation of serum FDP levels can be used as a reliable prognostic indicator and as a biologic marker of tumour spread How to cite this article: Gharat L, Rathod GP. Quantitative estimation of Serum Fibrinogen Degradation Product levels in Oral Premalignant and Malignant lesions. J Int Oral Health 2013; 5(5):65-72.