Evaluation of Cytomorphologic Changes of Oral Mucosa and Copper Level of Saliva in Occupationally Copper Exposed, Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Normal Population

Abstract

Introduction: Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) involves half of the oral cavity malignancies. It is very important to find the etiologic factors of oral SCC and its early diagnosis. Copper is one of the most useful metals that have been used by men since ancient time. The level of copper increases when the cancerous changes occur in the body, saliva analysis can be used to discover various illnesses because of its non-invasive methods. In addition to biopsy, an alternative method for examining oral lesions is exfoliative cytology. The aim of this study was to determine the salivary copper level and cytomorphologic changes of oral mucosa among three study groups.Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 15 individuals with oral SCC, 15 workers exposed to copper and 15 healthy individuals were included. Saliva samples were collected and analyzed by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The exfoliative smears were prepared by brush biopsy and stained by Papanicolaou and AgNOR staining methods. Data were analyzed by One-way ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis test. P value <0.05 was considered significant.Result: The results showed a significant difference in mean salivary copper (P=0.008), cytomorphology of oral mucosa and AgNOR among the three groups (P<0.001).Conclusion: Occupational exposure to copper increases the salivary levels of this element and causes changes in mucosal cells. Since this increase in is very high salivary level of copper and nuclear activity are in oral SCC patients, exposure to copper should be considered an important risk factor for oral mucosal changes.