Genotoxicity of tobacco and alcohol on human oral mucosal cells

Chewing and smoking of tobacco as well as drinking of alcohol have been reported as the risk factors for oral cancer. The high incidence of oral cancer in India and gradual increase of oral cancer patients at the Out Patient Department of Acharya Harihar Regional Cancer Center (AHRCC) Cuttack, Odisha (the only Government Hospital of the state dedicated for the treatment of the cancer patients) prompted us to undertake this study. In this hospitalbased case-control study, the genotoxic effect of tobacco and alcohol was evaluated through micronucleus test. The percentage of micronucleated cells were recorded to be the highest in chewer-smoker-alcoholics group (2.86 in males and 3.35 in females) and the least in smokers’ group (0.68 in males and 0.65 in females). The values were found to be statistically significant at 1% level of confidence (Z-test). But, the occurrence of micronucleated cells in higher percentage in non-addicted cancerous group (1.23 in males and 1.20 in females) than the single addicted groups (such as chewers, smokers and alcoholics) indicate the causes of genetic susceptibility followed by oral unhygienic condition and modern life style in food pattern among the people of Odisha. Therefore, it needs special attention for which further investigation is suggested.