A Study of 63 Cases of Mouth Neoplasms in Arecanut Growing Belt of Sullia

Background: Betel nut and betel quid chewing are from major etiological factorfor oral cancer. They also increase the risk of systemic diseases such as asthma,diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, myocardial infarction, hypertension, andother cardiovascular diseases.Methods: Sixty three patients of oral cancer in our institution during Jan. 2007 toMay 2011 were included in our study. This study included 14 cases of lipcarcinoma, 41 cases of buccal mucosa carcinoma, 7 cases of tongue carcinoma,and 1 case of carcinoma of upper alveolus. Duration of use of betel quid, panmasala, and gutkha were studied as well as management.Results: All patients in our study have been chewing betel-quid for 6-31 years(mean19.42 years). All of them quit betel quid and used easily availablepanmasala and gutkha for 4-13 years (mean 8.28 years). Nine cases of lipcarcinoma, 13 cases of buccal mucosa carcinoma and 3 cases of tongue carcinomawere treated with surgery. Seven cases of lip carcinoma, 30 cases of buccalmucosa carcinoma and 5 cases of tongue carcinoma were treated with postoperative or palliative radiotherapy.Conclusion: Betel nut chewing with or without tobacco and lime are proven to becarcinogens in human. Direct relationship between oral cancer and betel quid,gutkha, and panmasala use has been shown in our study. As betel quid,panmasala and gutkha chewing were proven to be carcinogens, a permanent banon manufacturing and sale of these products should be implemented.