Re: Role of beetal quid and areca nut in oral cancer

[Anonymous]

The most common disease that is caused by betel nut chewing is OSMF
Oral submucous fibrosis is a chronic debilitating disease of the oral cavity characterized by inflammation and progressive fibrosis of the submucosal tissues (lamina propria and deeper connective tissues). Oral submucous fibrosis results in marked rigidity and an eventual inability to open the mouth.The buccal mucosa is the most commonly involved site, but any part of the oral cavity can be involved, even the pharynx

The condition is well recognized for its malignant potential and is particularly associated with areca nut chewing, the main component of betel quid. Betel quid chewing is a habit practiced predominately in Southeast Asia and India that dates back for thousands of years. It is similar to tobacco chewing in westernized societies. The mixture of this quid, or chew, is a combination of the areca nut (fruit of the Areca catechu palm tree, erroneously termed betel nut) and betel leaf (from the Piper betel, a pepper shrub), tobacco, slaked lime (calcium hydroxide), and catechu (extract of the Acacia catechu tree).Lime acts to keep the active ingredient in its freebase or alkaline form, enabling it to enter the bloodstream via sublingual absorption. Arecoline, an alkaloid found in the areca nut, promotes salivation, stains saliva red, and is a stimulant.

The ingredients and nomenclature of betel quid vary by region as detailed below:

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Pan: This is freshly prepared betel quid (with or without tobacco).
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Gutka (gutkha, guttkha, or guthka): This is a manufactured version of betel quid with tobacco sold as a single-use sachet. It is primarily used on the Indian subcontinent (ie, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh). Betel quid without tobacco is mostly used in Southeast Asian countries (ie, Taiwan, Myanmar, Thailand, China, Papua New Guinea, Guam).
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Pan masala: This is a commercially manufactured powdered version of betel quid without tobacco used in the Indian subcontinent.
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Pan Parag: It is a brand name of pan masala and gutka used in India.
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Mawa (kharra): This is a crude combination of areca, tobacco, and lime.
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Mainpuri tobacco: Popular in parts of northern India, Mainpuri tobacco is a mixture of areca nut, tobacco, lime, and various condiments. Depending on local preferences, sweeteners or spices (ie, cardamom, saffron, clove, anise seed, turmeric, mustard) are also added as flavorings.

In most patients with oral submucous fibrosis, areca nut was chewed alone more frequently than it was chewed in combination with pan (ie, betel leaf plus lime plus betel catechu, with or without tobacco)or had a higher areca nut content.