Value of Micronuclei Count as a Predictor of Cytotoxic Damage in Smoked and Smokeless Tobacco Users

Background: Tobacco usage in the smoked and smokeless forms has reached epidemic proportions in the Asian sub-continent often leading to oral cancer which is the sixth most common cause of cancer related deaths globally. Micronuclei (MN) count is a promising indicator for the cytotoxic effects of tobacco usage. Our study was aimed at establishing a correlation between the MN counts among various tobacco habits. Methods: Exfoliated cells were collected over a period of three years from 2015 to 2017, from a total of 400 individuals consisting of 100 individuals each of smokers, gutkha chewers, khaini chewers and controls. PAP staining was done and the number of cells with micronuclei was counted under 40 X, by two independent examiners. The mean MN count was compared using the ANOVA test for statistical analysis. Results: Significant increase in micronuclei count was observed in individuals with tobacco habit. Mean value of epithelial cells with micronuclei ± SD was 1.58 ± 0.24 for controls, 7.51 ± 0.59 for smokers, 13.95 ± 0.97 for khaini chewers and 15.45 ± 1.17 for gutkha users. Conclusion: The MN count can be used as an early indicator for susceptibility to Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), as a non-invasive early detection tool for mass screening, for patient education as well as to check for efficacy of treatment.