Unveiling the hidden effects of chemoradiotherapy in the treatment of oral squamous cell carcinoma: A cytological study

• Main Authors: Rashmi Metgud, Harkiranjot Kahlon, Arshdeep Singh, Smitha Naik, Aniruddh Tak, Ramandeep Singh Gambhir
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2017-01-01
• Series: Journal of Oral Research and Review
• Subjects: Chemotherapy; cytological atypia; mucosa; radiotherapy
• Online Access: http://www.jorr.org/article.asp?issn=2249-4987;year=2017;volume=9;issue=2;spage=67;epage=71;aulast=Metgud

Aim: The most common malignancy of the oral cavity is squamous cell carcinoma, which accounts for approximately 5% of all neoplasms. Unfortunately, the great majority of these tumors are diagnosed in stages which require surgery with radio- and chemo-therapy. These treatments affect not only the malignant cells but also the healthy tissues of the patient. Therefore, the present study was conducted to detect oral cytological atypia among oral squamous cell carcinoma patients receiving chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. Materials and Methods: Oral buccal mucosal cells were obtained from thirty cancer patients receiving radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy (ascertained as cases) and thirty cancer patients not exposed to either therapy (control) and stained with Papanicolaou stain. Pearson's Chi-square test was used for statistical significance. Results: Oral epithelial atypical features were detected in 28 patients out of 30 patients who received radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy. Atypia was not observed in the control group. Inflammatory infiltrate was identified in all the therapy-related cases. Conclusion: Radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy induce variable degrees of atypical cytological changes. Radiotherapy, though a potent tool in cancer management, can unleash the surrounding normal tissues if used without caution.