Arpit Jain, Guruprasad R, Preeti P Nair, Shilpa Jain

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Tumor markers are substances, which change quantitatively in serum during tumor development. The sialic acid is a member of acylated derivatives of neuraminic acid family (2-keto-5-amino-3,5-dideoxy-n-nonulosonic acid), which are widely distributed in nature. The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the serum sialic acid level in oral squamous cell carcinoma and potential malignant disorder and to assess their role as a diagnostic marker. Method: Serum sialic acid estimation was done by resorcinol method modified by Plucinsky et al. Colored complex intensity was read at 580nm in 50 patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma, 60 patients with potential malignant disorder (30 Oral Submucous Fibrosis and 30 Leukoplakia), and 50 age & sex matched disease-free controls. The results were tabulated and analyzed statistically. Results: Significant increase in serum sialic acid levels were observed in oral squamous cell carcinoma patients as compared to those with potential malignant disorder and controls. In the present study, we found significant increase in serum sialic acid levels in oral squamous cell carcinoma patients as compared to leukoplakia and those with Oral Submucous Fibrosis. Also significant increase in serum sialic acid levels in Oral Submucous Fibrosis patients as compared to Leukoplakia. Conclusion: From these results, it seems that evaluation of serum sialic acid levels may be useful as one of the battery of tests in assessment of oral carcinoma and potential malignant disorder.