Response of lycopene in treatment of oral submucous fibrosis

Oral Submucous Fibrosis (OSF) is a well-known precancerous condition with malignant transformation rate as high as 7.6%. It results in marked rigidity of oral cavity and an eventual inability to open the mouth. Although OSF has a high rate of morbidity but no reliable treatment modality for its management has been developed yet.

To determine the frequency of positive response of oral lycopene in the treatment of patients with Oral Submucous Fibrosis.

A descriptive case series of patients with OSF was conducted at our institution for a period of 6 months i.e.18-11-2014 to 18-05-2015 in the Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, King Edward Medical University, Lahore. Data was collected by using non-probability sampling technique. After informed consent, all patients were prescribed lycopene 30 mg BD dose for a period of 6 months. Changes in mouth opening (IIO) was measured every month for each patient. Data was entered and analyzed using SPSS 20.

A total number of 100 cases were selected for this study. Mean age of the patients was 27.24±8.22 of which 53(53%) were male and 47(47%) were female cases. Positive response of lycopene was noted in 76(76%) of cases while 24(24%) did not respond to the treatment. No adverse effects reported during the treatment period as well as during follow-up.

It is concluded that the lycopene can and should be used as a first line of treatment in the management of Oral Submucous fibrosis.