Palmar dermatoglyphics in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma

Dermatoglyphics is study of dermal ridge configuration on digits, palms and soles. The dermal ridge are genetically determined and several studies have shown association between dermatoglyphics and different types of cancer. This book studies and analyzes finger & palm print patterns of patients with Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC) & individuals with tobacco related habits but without any tobacco induced lesions. The aim was to determine whether specific dermatoglyphics patterns do exist which would help in predicting probability of occurrence of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma. The study consisted of 2 groups, one group of 30 patients with OSCC and other of 30 control patients. Finger and palm prints of patients and controls were collected using Ink method and were evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively. For quantitative analysis "Variance Test" and for qualitative analysis "Chi Square Test" was applied. In our study we found that, arches and loops were more frequent in cases whereas whorls were more frequent in controls. Hence, we can use Dermatoglyphics as a tool to educate patients with tissue abusing habits and thus prevent or intercept the impending disease.