“A study on association of epstein barr virus in oral squamous cell carcinoma using polymerase chain reaction technique.”

Abstract

Background and Aims: Head and neck cancer is the most common type of cancer in word wide and Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) accounts for 90% of oral cancers and it represents the sixth most frequent malignant tumour world wide. The main etiological factor causing oral squamous cell carcinoma is tobacco consumption in the form of chewing or smoking, there are few virus such as Human Papilloma virus, Herpes simplex virus and Epistein barr virus are also contributory factor for causing oral squamous cell carcinoma. Among these viruses, Epstein Barr virus shown that increased risk of oral cancer. The present study was conducted to see association between Epstein Barr virus and oral squamous cell carcinoma using polymerase chain reaction technique. Methods: A total of 20 archival tissue blocks which are histopathologically confirmed OSCC and twenty cases of healthy mucosal tissue from retro molar area of the oral cavity. For all these cases DNA extraction was done and subjected to polymerase chain reaction. The results were analysed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 20.0. Results: Among twenty cases of OSCC twelve were males and eight were females. The mean age ranges from 51.25 ± 2 years in OSCC cases. Out of 20 cases of OSCC, 4 cases (20%) were positive and 16 cases (80%) were negative for EBV. Whereas the mean age ranges from 30.9 ± 2 years, and 11 were males and 9 were females in control group. Among 20 controls, 10 controls (50%) were positive and 10 controls (50%) were negative for EBV. Conclusion: The prevalence of EBV was significantly high in controls than OSCC cases. These observations suggest that location such retro molar area is one of the important factors for considering prevalence of EBV. Further studies with large sample size required to draw the role of location, habits in pathogenesis of EBV causing OSCC.