A comparative study of buccal mucosal cells for cytological changes occurring in smokeless-tobacco exposed population with the non-exposed in the saurashtra region of Gujarat state

The study was conducted to detect the impact of consuming smokeless tobacco (in any form) on the buccal mucosal cytology of 100 male subjects (50 exposed and 50 non-exposed) of 18–60 age group. After proper ethical clearance, the samples were collected using sterile wooden spatula, fixed and stained by routine H&E technique. The cells observed for changes of multinucleation, binucleation, karyolysis and chromatin condensation of nuclei. The data obtained was compared with the previous studies done. It was concluded that, the intake of smokeless tobacco leads to an increased tendency of cytological aberrations and the buccal mucosal cytology is an easy, painless and cost effective procedure to detect these changes at an early stage and start preventive measures accordingly. Keyword: Buccal mucosa, cytology, multinucleated, binucleated, karyolytic, chromatin condensation