Histopathological spectrum of patients with oral cavity lesions: A descriptive observational record-based study from Maharashtra

Abstract

Background: Tobacco use is one of the most important risk factors for the development of oral mucosal lesions including oral pre-cancer and cancer. In recent years, various commercial preparations known as pan masala and gutkha have become available in India and in many parts of Asia. Many brands of these products contain areca nut and tobacco, both of which have been implicated in occurrence of oral cancer. The investigators have also observed that smoking and chewing of tobacco and betel quid act synergistically in oral carcinogenesis and that persons with mixed habits form a substantially high-risk population