Simple answer to a common question along with a host of precautions. BriefingWire.com, 2/20/2021 - AHMEDABAD, 21TH FEBRUARY, 2021 - Doctor - "You have Oral Submucous Fibrosis" Patient - "Does that mean that I have cancer?" This common question is fielded by doctors virtually everyday. In fact, that is the first question many patients ask. Is Oral Submucous Fibrosis or OSMF really cancerous? In its initial stages, no. But if left untreated, it does lead to cancer. OSMF causes severe and often disabling fibrosis of the oral tissues. So what exactly is OSMF? OSMF is a chronic progressive and irreversible disease affecting the oral, oropharyngeal, and sometimes the esophageal mucous. It is a disease that causes changes similar to those of systemic sclerosis (scleroderma) but limited to oral tissues. While India has the largest number of OSMF patients, they can also be found in other South Asian and West Asian (Middle Eastern) nations. Epidemiological studies have shown that chewing betel nuts is one of the most significant risk factors for OSMF. Other studies have shown that habits such as chewing and smoking tobacco, khaini, pan masala and drinking alcohol increase the risk of OSMF. All said and done, what are the symptoms and diagnosis of OSMF?