CANCER AND THE ENVIRONMENT : AGNOR A CONVENIENT TOOL IN ASSESSING CANCER

Abstract

Carcinogens are any of the natural or synthetic substances that can cause cancer. S  Elements like arsenic, asbestos, uranium, vinyl chloride, ionizing radiation, ultraviolet rays, etc. present in the environment are hazardous to health.. Some studies indicate that the carcinogens in cigarette smoke are involved in 80% of all lung cancer. Together, via multiple genetic and epigenetic lesions, environmental factors modulate important changes in the pathway of cellular carcinogenesis. The one stage argyrophilic method for the demonstration of nucleolar organizer regions (AgNOR) is proving to be a useful technique in detecting the severity of malignancy in a cancerous condition. AgNOR count reflects cell activity, proliferation and transformation. A small pilot study was done to compare the AgNOR count of cells collected from normal buccal mucosa by exfoliative cytology in smokers and nonsmokers. AgNOR dots were located strictly within the nuclei and were clearly visible As black dots. A higher AgNOR count reflects increasing malignancy. This present study successfully used the AgNOR technique in cytologic smears of oral buccal mucosa to prove that AgNOR count is increased in  smokers as compared to non smokers. This shows that smokers and people subjected to carcinogens which includes environmental carcinogens, have a high tendency of developing cancer.