Variation of micronuclei frequency with risk factors in oral/oropharyngeal carcinoma in West Bengal

Objective: The aim of this study is to find out the variation in micronuclei (MN) frequency with various risk factors in oral and oropharyngeal carcinoma in West Bengal, India. Methods: In this study 107 subjects with oral leucoplakia were grouped according to their exposure to tobacco (both smoked and chewed), alcohol and betel quid. Their buccal smears were obtained on slides, air dried and fixed with 80% methanol and finally stained with Giemsa stain and observed under microscope. The MN frequency was calculated and analysed. Results: The variation in MN frequency, analysed by Students T test for male subjects exposed to tobacco alone was found to be statistically significant (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The MN frequency was found to vary with risk factor exposure; highest with exposure to tobacco and alcohol and lowest in subjects who were not exposed to any of the three substances. The rise in MN frequency was found to be significant in subjects exposed to tobacco alone.