Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) is a potentially malignant disorder of oral cavity. The vascularity of submucosa in this disease can predict its malignant transformation. AIM: In this study, attempts have been made to investigate different parameters of vascularity, such as mean vascular area, luminal diameter etc., in advanced OSF and make a comparison with malignancy associated with OSF. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Incisional biopsy was taken from clinically diagnosed cases of advanced OSF and malignancy associated with OSF. Sections were prepared and stained with haematoxylin and eosin for histomorphometric analysis using a research microscope. RESULTS: A statistically significant increase in mean vascular area and luminal diameter of blood vessels was noticed in malignancy associated with OSF compared to advanced OSF. CONCLUSION: To support the nutritional demand of carcinogenesis, increased blood supply is required; hence blood supply increased in the form of budding blood vessels or enlarged dilated blood vessels. These changes can be used as a predictive marker for this transformation.