Background: In India, Oral cancer is one of the most common cancers. Despite advances in treatments, prognosis for oral cancer has remained poor with a five-year survival rate of 40-50%. Therefore, it is necessary to develop effective diagnostic methods for early diagnosis and better prognosis. Homocysteine (Hcy) has been reported as a 'tumour marker' in various cancers such as breast cancer, colorectal cancer, lung cancer, cervical cancer.
Aim: To study the levels of serum Hcy in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients.
Objectives: To assess the clinical utility of serum Hcy as a potential tumour marker for OSCC cases.
Methodology: Serum Hcy levels were studied and compared between patients with OSCC and healthy individuals.
Results: Serum Hcy levels were higher in patients having OSCC.
Conclusion: Serum Hcy levels could be utilized as a biological marker in the diagnosis and the prognosis of OSCC patients.
Keywords: Homocystein; OSCC; oral squamous cell carcinoma; prognosis.
Copyright: © 2022 Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology.