Role of serum lipid profile in diagnosis/prognosis of OSMF and OSCC

Head and neck cancer is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality. Oral cancer (OC) is the sixth most common head and neck cancer in the world. It has an overall 5-year survival rate of <50% Reports indicate an increasing worldwide incidence of oral cancer at an earlier age. This accounts for an estimated 650, 000 new cancer cases and 350, 000 cancer deaths worldwide every year. Oral cancer is usually preceded by lesions which have malignant potential an therefore have been termed as pre-cancerous. A variety of lesions and conditions have malignant potential they include leukoplakia, erythroplakia, oral lichen planus and oral submucous fibrosis. More than 90% of all oral cancers are Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC).The highest incidence and prevalence of OSCC is found in the Indian Subcontinent where the risk of developing OSCC is increased by the prevalent habits of chewing tobacco, betel quid and areca-nut.The treatment outcome and prognosis in such patients and can even avoid the malignant transformation in some cases. Therefore, it is very important to detect and control the premalignant lesions and conditions at an early stage to avoid their malignant transformation.