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Suggest Treatment For Oral Submucous Fibrosis
Question: Hi, i am male , 32 years and i had a habit of taking gutkha for around 12 years but i quit eating gutkha in the year 2010 after consulting a dentist. I have a problem opening my mouth and The doctor told me that i have OSMF and it was on the left side cheek. He prescribed me Lycopene and placentric to apply on the affected portion. I have been following his prescription for the past four years and i used to go for follow up check up twice per year and he told me that my mouth opening is improving as i have started my medication at an early stage .I can only insert two fingers in my mouth as of now. So, i have some questions regarding my conditons :
1) shall i continue taking lycopene and placentrix? i have been taking that for the past four years.
2) can my mouth opening be increase gradually? what kind of mouth exercise is necessary?
3) is it okay if i dont go for surgery?
4) whats the chances of me getting oral cancer because of OSMF?
Thanks!!!
1) shall i continue taking lycopene and placentrix? i have been taking that for the past four years.
2) can my mouth opening be increase gradually? what kind of mouth exercise is necessary?
3) is it okay if i dont go for surgery?
4) whats the chances of me getting oral cancer because of OSMF?
Thanks!!!
Brief Answer:
Surgery option depends on functional impairment
Detailed Answer:
hi,
I can understand that you are suffering from OSMFbon medications since four years
For your first question, the medications are indicated until there is no more scope of the lesion to get repaired and a stable fibrosed conditions is left. However, as these medications have an anti aging properties and anti inflammatory properties, it's overuse is seldom harmful. It's beneficial effect tends to cease when there is no active fibrosis occurring and a stable condition is reached. It can be best discussed with the treating doctor, as to how long the course will continue here.
Secondly, once the collagen fibres in the jaw has fibrosed the only way one can increase the mouth opening considerably is by operating it. Perhaps the functional impairment forms the sole basis that decides an operative election. An operation consist of release of the fibrosed collagen fibres and reconstitute the skin with the help of flap.
Yes, it does predispose to cancer, literature suggest that there is 10% progression rate to cancer in 10 years in osmf. Therefore, regular check up for anaplastic changes in the lesion is helpful.
Regards
Surgery option depends on functional impairment
Detailed Answer:
hi,
I can understand that you are suffering from OSMFbon medications since four years
For your first question, the medications are indicated until there is no more scope of the lesion to get repaired and a stable fibrosed conditions is left. However, as these medications have an anti aging properties and anti inflammatory properties, it's overuse is seldom harmful. It's beneficial effect tends to cease when there is no active fibrosis occurring and a stable condition is reached. It can be best discussed with the treating doctor, as to how long the course will continue here.
Secondly, once the collagen fibres in the jaw has fibrosed the only way one can increase the mouth opening considerably is by operating it. Perhaps the functional impairment forms the sole basis that decides an operative election. An operation consist of release of the fibrosed collagen fibres and reconstitute the skin with the help of flap.
Yes, it does predispose to cancer, literature suggest that there is 10% progression rate to cancer in 10 years in osmf. Therefore, regular check up for anaplastic changes in the lesion is helpful.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Thanks for the reply Doctor. I just want to ask some follow-up questions....
1) since my doctor told me that my condition is improving, can i hope that the active fibrosis will cease and will return to stable condition in the future? i know it can be only be tell through check up but what are my chances of being cure?
2) You have suggested that there is 10% progression rate to cancer in 10 years in osmf.... so that means 90% of people infected with osmf will get cured if treated properly without letting to cancer? i am just worried about me letting to cancer in the coming years.
3) Regarding mouth opening, is mouth exercise helpful? And is it okay if i cant open my mouth considerably as long as i return to stable condition?
4) can you recommend any other medications for my conditions?
Thanks once again.
1) since my doctor told me that my condition is improving, can i hope that the active fibrosis will cease and will return to stable condition in the future? i know it can be only be tell through check up but what are my chances of being cure?
2) You have suggested that there is 10% progression rate to cancer in 10 years in osmf.... so that means 90% of people infected with osmf will get cured if treated properly without letting to cancer? i am just worried about me letting to cancer in the coming years.
3) Regarding mouth opening, is mouth exercise helpful? And is it okay if i cant open my mouth considerably as long as i return to stable condition?
4) can you recommend any other medications for my conditions?
Thanks once again.
Brief Answer:
yes, it can be a stable condition
Detailed Answer:
thanks for the reply.
A fibrosis is a kind of healing. once the inflammation is over, the underlying tissue fibres gets healed into a fibrosed collagen fibres, which is a stable condition.
These medications will help rejuvenate some of the tissue, protect some from further damage and help in repairment of the underlying tissue, although 100 percent cure is not possible.
After cessation of tabacco use and complete healing, with the residual fibrosis, the condition gets stable.
However as I had mentioned before, 10 percent have chances for progression to cancer in 10 years. The remaining 90 may persist with the residual fibrosis. If it is widespread enough to cause eating or speaking problems, a surgery is then indicated. Otherwise one can continue to live with the fibrosis, as complete recovery to normal is not possible. Physiotheray will certainly help in functioning, although the underlying defect won't be cured with it. Again the medication helps to arrest the fibrosis process, but it does not restore once the fibrosis develop.
A regular checkup for the microscopy of the cells is done to check whether there is no development of cancerous cells.
welcome for further queries.
stay healthy
Regards,
Dr Pankaj Borade
yes, it can be a stable condition
Detailed Answer:
thanks for the reply.
A fibrosis is a kind of healing. once the inflammation is over, the underlying tissue fibres gets healed into a fibrosed collagen fibres, which is a stable condition.
These medications will help rejuvenate some of the tissue, protect some from further damage and help in repairment of the underlying tissue, although 100 percent cure is not possible.
After cessation of tabacco use and complete healing, with the residual fibrosis, the condition gets stable.
However as I had mentioned before, 10 percent have chances for progression to cancer in 10 years. The remaining 90 may persist with the residual fibrosis. If it is widespread enough to cause eating or speaking problems, a surgery is then indicated. Otherwise one can continue to live with the fibrosis, as complete recovery to normal is not possible. Physiotheray will certainly help in functioning, although the underlying defect won't be cured with it. Again the medication helps to arrest the fibrosis process, but it does not restore once the fibrosis develop.
A regular checkup for the microscopy of the cells is done to check whether there is no development of cancerous cells.
welcome for further queries.
stay healthy
Regards,
Dr Pankaj Borade
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
My final questions doctor....
1) Since it has been four years since i was diagnosed with OSMF and as per my doctor, my condition is improving, so i won't go for surgery if it didn't go worse. Hope that's okay, doc?
2) You have stated that " Otherwise one can continue to live with the fibrosis, as complete recovery to normal is not possible." so my question is, can i live a normal life if i continue to live with the fibrosis minus the cancer chances?
3) is it necessary to do mouth exercise?
Thanks a lot and God bless you.
1) Since it has been four years since i was diagnosed with OSMF and as per my doctor, my condition is improving, so i won't go for surgery if it didn't go worse. Hope that's okay, doc?
2) You have stated that " Otherwise one can continue to live with the fibrosis, as complete recovery to normal is not possible." so my question is, can i live a normal life if i continue to live with the fibrosis minus the cancer chances?
3) is it necessary to do mouth exercise?
Thanks a lot and God bless you.
Brief Answer:
Yes to all
Detailed Answer:
Thanks dear,
If your doctor says that the condition is improving, it is a good indication. I wish you continue to improve.
The decision for surgery is solely on the basis of functional impairment the fibrosis is causing you, if you think you can function properly with the current state, surgery can be avoided.
Yes, there are 90 percent chances that you will not have cancer in next 10 years and live normal life, if you stop tobacco from now.
Mouth exercise will help.
Thank you.
Regards,
Dr Panlaj Borade
Yes to all
Detailed Answer:
Thanks dear,
If your doctor says that the condition is improving, it is a good indication. I wish you continue to improve.
The decision for surgery is solely on the basis of functional impairment the fibrosis is causing you, if you think you can function properly with the current state, surgery can be avoided.
Yes, there are 90 percent chances that you will not have cancer in next 10 years and live normal life, if you stop tobacco from now.
Mouth exercise will help.
Thank you.
Regards,
Dr Panlaj Borade
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
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