Lipid profile as diagnostic marker in oral cancer

Oral cancer is the sixth most common cancer worldwide and has a severe impact on quality of life for patients and survivors. Oral squamous cell carcinoma incidence accounts for up to 40 percent of all malignancies in India and South East Asia. Tobacco chewing with betel quid, tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption are the most important etiological factor for oral cancer development through the generation of oxidative stress. Tumour cells are known to produce large amounts of pro-inflammatory cytokines, interleukin-6, tumour necrosis factor that may suppress the activity and synthesis of lipogenic enzymes. They also cause increased synthesis of soluble factors, such as lipid mobilizing factors, leading to increased fat mobilization from adipose tissue. The alterations in the circulatory cholesterol levels have been found to be associated with etiology of breast cancer and colorectal cancer. However, only a few reports are available on plasma lipid profile in oral cancer.