ASSOCIATION OF ORAL CANCER WITH RIGHT HAND DIGIT RATIO (2D:4D) USING RADIOGRAPHIC AND PHOTOGRAPHIC METHOD- AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

Dr Kajal V Gokak; Dr Vaishali Keluskar; Dr Anjana Bagewadi

Volume : VII, Issue : VII, July - 2018

ASSOCIATION OF ORAL CANCER WITH RIGHT HAND DIGIT RATIO (2D:4D) USING RADIOGRAPHIC AND PHOTOGRAPHIC METHOD- AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

Dr Kajal V Gokak, Dr Vaishali Keluskar, Dr Anjana Bagewadi

Abstract :

Background: The second to fourth digit ratio (2D:4D), is a sexually dimorphic trait, with males on the average having lower ratios than females. 2D:4D is established in prenatally & also appears to be universal across ethnic groups. Genes like HOX, AR and LIN28b involved in the development of digits have been recently correlated to carcinogenesis. So 2D:4D is a presumed marker for prenatal hormone exposure as well as the action of HOX, AR and LIN28b genes. Hence 2D:4D can be used as a proxy marker to predetermine the susceptibility of tobacco chewers to develop oral cancer.

Objective: This study was undertaken to explore the possible association between digit ratio, oral leukoplakia (OL) and oral cancer (OC) in male tobacco chewers.

Methods: The study included 150 male subjects divided into 3 groups, group I– oral leukoplakia, Group II– oral cancer and Group III– controls with 50 subjects in each group. Digital photographs and radiographs of the right palms were obtained and digits were measured using Adobe Photoshop cs 6. Data was analyzed by ANOVA and Newman–Keuls multiple post hoc procedures.

Result: Risk factor (tobacco consumption) was similar between the study groups. Among the 3 groups, subjects in oral cancer group presented significant higher 2D:4D with p–value–0.00001in both photograph and radiograph as compared to subjects in Group I and Group III.

Conclusion: The inference of the study is that male tobacco chewers with a higher digit ratio,have higher risk of developing oral cancer. Hence 2D:4D digit ratio can be used as a marker for screening all tobacco users for their susceptibility to develop oral malignancy.