TDSS1 - Management of Oral Submucous Fibrosis

Oral submucous fibrosis is a disease due to a chronic change in fibroelasticity, characterized by a burning sensation in the mouth, blanching and stiffening of the oral mucosa and oropharynx leading to trismus. The signs and symptoms depend on the progression of the lesions and number of impacted sites. It is predominantly seen in people of South Asian decent. Once the disease has developed, there is neither regression nor any effective treatment. It is considered a pre-malignant stage of oral cancer and reported risk of malignant transformation. The common etiological factor considered for this disease is use of areca nut. A wide range of treatment consisting of drug management, surgical therapy and physiotherapy have been attempted with varying degrees of benefit, but none of them have proven to be a cure for this disease. This presentation aims to provide an overview on various management modalities available for oral submucous fibrosis.