Assessment of p53 Protein Expression in Leukoplakia, Oral Submucous Fibrosis and Oral Lichen Planus in Myanmar Patients

Tobacco-smoking and betel quid chewing habits are highly prevalent in Southeast Asia including Myanmar. In this study, clinico-pathological parameters of oral lesions and alterations in p53-expression were investigated. Forty-nine cases of leukoplakia (n=20), oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) (n=15) and oral lichen planus (OLP) (n=14) were investigated for p53-expression by immunohistochemistry. Male predilection was seen with leukoplakia and OSMF. Total mean age was 48.3 for leukoplakia, 37.9 for OSMF and 42.2 for OLP. Buccal mucosa was the most common site. Betel quid chewing and smoking habits were significantly related with leukoplakia and OSMF (P=0.000) and influenced in p53-expression (P=0.000). Grade of dysplasia was strongly associated with p53-positivity and expression pattern in basal and suprabasal layer (P=0.004; Crude OR=895% CI=1.9-34.5). This study suggests that alterations of p53-expression are important indicators for prediction of malignant transformation in betel quid chewing and tobacco-smoking associated pre-malignant lesions.