Salivary Analytes in Patients of Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders and their Role in Early Detection of Oral Cancer: A Cross-sectional Study

Ab s t r Ac t Background: The comprehensive salivary analysis had revealed an overall altered salivary composition in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) indicating a compromised oral environment in OSCC and suggesting salivary analysis as a new diagnostic tool for oral cancer. The mechanism behind these alterations is unknown; however, previous studies hypothesized that the tissue-abusive habits present in these patients contribute to saliva alterations. Objectives: Thus, the present study aims to find how far this hypothesis stands true. In addition, the present study also aims to find whether these same salivary analytes are altered in oral potentially malignant disorders (oral leukoplakia, oral submucous fibrosis) and in case of positive results, these salivary analytes detected in precancerous stage could prove of great significance for early detection of OSCC. Materials and methods: Unstimulated saliva samples were collected from 15 patients with tissue-abusive habits and oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMD) and 15 otherwise healthy individuals with tissue-abusive habits but without lesions and subjected to flame photometry for estimation of levels of Na, K, and Ca. Results: It revealed elevated levels of Na and Ca and lower concentration of K in OPMD patients compared to healthy individuals. Conclusion: We conclude that an altered level of salivary analytes in OPMD similar to that found in OSCC is suggestive of saliva as an emerging diagnostic tool.