Oral submucous fibrosisis a chronic disorder
presenting with the plaguing symptoms of burning sensation in mouth,
intolerance to spicy food and progressive trismus. OSMF is insidious in onset
characterized by fibrosis of the lining mucosa of the upper digestive tract
involving the oral cavity, oropharynx and hypopharynx and the upper third of
oesophagus.
The fibrosisinvolves the lamina propria and
the submucosa and may extend into the underlying musculature resulting in the
deposition of dense fibrous bands, resulting in limited mouth opening. It is
widely prevalent in all age groups and across all socioeconomic strata in
India. OSMF is etiologically
related to chewing of areca nut [betel nut] and its commercial products, a
habit prevalent in India and South-East Asia.
This increaing prevalence is not only our
concern but its treatment challenges is also our concern. Though a benign
disease, the frequency of malignant change in patients with OSMF ranges from 3%
to 6%. We have various established treatment modalities available, medical and
surgical both. But the results vary.
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