An In Vivo Comparative Evaluation of Serum Fucose Levels in Oral Leukoplakia Patients and Oral Cancer Patients: An Original Research Study

Abstract

Aim: This study aims to evaluate serum fucose levels in patients with oral leukoplakia and oral cancer.

Materials and Methods: The study evaluated 60 patients with significant complaints related to ulcer pain and white patches in the oral cavity. All patients; both men and women those exhibited non-removable white or gray patches on sites like the tongue and buccal mucosa. Symptoms included rough texture, burning sensations, discomfort, swelling, and non-healing ulcers. Patients were divided into three groups of 30: Group 1 had oral leukoplakia, Group 2 had oral squamous cell carcinoma, and Group 3 was a control group with no lesions. Blood samples were collected after an overnight fast to measure serum fucose levels using a spectrophotometer with the cysteine-sulfuric acid method.

Results: Participants were divided into three groups: Group 1 had patients with oral leukoplakia, a precancerous condition characterized by white patches in the mouth; Group 2 included patients with OSCC, known for its aggressive nature; and Group 3 served as a control group of healthy individuals. Biochemical parameters, specifically serum fucose levels, were measured across the groups. Group 1 had an average fucose level of 14.95±5.86 mg/dL; Group 2 had 10.08±2.06 mg/dL; and Group 3's healthy individuals had 6.12±4.16 mg/dL. The Pearson Chi-Square test was utilized to determine the significance of these findings, while one-way ANOVA in Table 5 provided a comprehensive comparison across all groups.

Conclusion: This study concluded that elevated serum fucose levels in individuals with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and leukoplakia compared to normal controls. This indicates that serum fucose may be a reliable biomarker for disease progression.