Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is one of the common oral potentially malignant disorders characterized by reduced mouth opening and burning sensation. Complete clinical examination in patients with OSMF is challenging due to insufficient mouth opening, leading to incomplete diagnosis and subsequently erroneous treatment execution.

This study aimed to assess the incidence of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) in OSMF patients and to determine the need of an imaging modality like contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) scan for a complete diagnosis of known OSMF patients with any hidden malignant lesion. The primary outcome was incidence of OSCC in patients of OSMF. The secondary outcomes were age, gender, grading of OSMF and presence of any associated other premalignant lesion and lymph node status. A p value < 0.05 was considered as significant.

Out of the 230 OSMF patients screened, 150 patients fulfilled the criteria and underwent CECT scan. The incidence of OSCC in OSMF patients was found to be 14.7% (n = 22).

The authors conclude that it is essential to recognize that a significant number of OSCC cases (n = 22) may be concealed under the pretext of OSMF, thus highlighting the importance of CECT scan in patients of OSMF for early diagnosis and prompt treatment.