Cytomorphometric Study on Micronuclei and Nuclear-Cytoplasmic Variations of Exfoliated Buccal Cells in Tobacco Habituates Using Phase Contrast Microscope

Abstract Introduction: Tobacco comprises of one of the most common addictions in society. It causes alterations in the cellular parameters of oral mucosal cells. Exfoliative cytology is a non-invasive technique that can be used along with chair side examination for supplementing the diagnosis of tobacco induced premalignant lesions and oral cancer. Phase contrast microscope, an essential tool in the field of biology and medical research, provides improved discrimination of cellular details. Materials and Methods: One-hundred twenty subjects as per selection criteria were selected by purposive sampling technique and categorised into four groups (I, II, III and IV) of 30 each: smoking tobacco users, smokeless tobacco users, both smoking and smokeless tobacco users and subjects without any deleterious habits. Fixed, unstained buccal smears were examined under a phase contrast microscope and were evaluated for cellular alterations. Normality test followed by various non-parametric tests was performed. Results: This study showed a significant increase in nuclear area, nuclear-to-cytoplasmic ratio and mean number of micronuclei per cell in combined tobacco users than tobacco chewers and smokers, but frequency of cells showing micronuclei was highest in smokers compared to tobacco chewers and combined tobacco users. Conclusions: Presence of micronuclei and cytomorphometric changes could be the earliest indicators of cellular alterations. This indicates there could be a cause-effect relationship between tobacco and cytomorphometric alterations of the cell.