Role of Betel Nut in Liver Toxicity in Oral Submucous Fibrosis and Oral Cancer Patients: A Case-Control Study

Background: In 2004, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) revised its conclusion that betel quid, both with and without tobacco, as well as areca nut alone, was carcinogenic to humans. Areca nut may enhance chemical hepatocarcinogenesis. Researchers have studied the role of areca nut components in the etiology of oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) for the past two decades. Objectives: In this, we will study the role of betel nut chewing on the liver and its correlation with the occurrence of OSF and oral cancer. Methodology: It is a type of case-control study for a duration of three months. A total of 60 subjects were selected based on the selected groups and exclusion criteria. A detailed case history was taken, and after that blood samples were collected for conducting liver function tests. After the collection of reports from the labs, the results were assessed, analyzed, and correlated with the case history of each subject. Results: This research aids in the identification of a link between the occurrence of OSF, oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) liver damage, and the practice of eating betel nuts. Chewing betel quid on a regular basis appears to be a separate risk factor for liver damage, OSCC, and OSF. Conclusion: This assessment of liver function with case history in each subject aids in providing an improvised and prioritized method for the early diagnosis of liver misfunctioning in the patient with OSF or Oral Cancer due to a common etiological factor, that is betel nut.