Submucous fibrosis (SF) in ex-betel nut chewers: a report of 14 cases.

The clinical and histological features are described of 14 subjects with SF who had given up betel nut chewing. The typical clinical features of the disease: blanching of the mucosa, palpable fibrous bands and complaints of burning and dryness of the mouth were still present, even in subjects who had not practised the habit for as long as 13 years. The characteristic histological features of the disease: atrophy of the oral epithelium and extensive fibrosis of the lamina propria, which in some instances penetrated into the submucosa, also persisted.