A comparative study of microvessel density in squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity and lip

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to comparatively evaluate the density of lymphatic vessels (LVD) and neoformed microvessels (NMVD) in squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity (OCSCC) and lip (LSCC). Association between LVD/NMVD and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A/-C was also assessed.

STUDY DESIGN

OCSCC and LSCC were compared with regard to immunoexpression of LVD, NMVD, and vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF)-A/-C. Association between VEGF-A/-C with vascularity was also assessed. Statistical analyses were performed using t test, Pearson χ(2), and Mann-Whitney tests. Statistical significance was accepted at P less than .05.

RESULTS

The NMVD and VEGF-C expressions were significantly higher in OCSCC compared with LSCC. NMVD was associated with VEGF-C in OCSCC, but not in LSCC.

CONCLUSIONS

Differences in NMVD and VEGF-C were found between OCSCC and LSCC. Positive association between VEGF-C and NMVD was observed in OCSCC, but not in LSCC, which may be one of the contributing factors that account for the distinctive clinical-biological behavior of these lesions.

The expression of chemokines CCL19, CCL21 and their receptor CCR7 in oral squamous cell carcinoma and its relevance to cervical lymph node metastasis

The purpose of this study is to determine the expression of CCL19, CCL21, and CCR7 in samples of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and their relationship with clinical and microscopic parameters. A comparative analysis was made of the mRNA expression of these chemokines and receptor in OSCC and normal oral mucosa. The immunoexpression of CCR7, CCL19, and CCL21 was also verified in OSCC and lymph nodes. Statistical significance was accepted at P < 0.05. Similar levels of CCR7, CCL19, and CCL21 mRNA in OSCC and normal oral mucosa were seen. A low expression of CCL19 and CCL21 in the intra- and peritumoral regions was observed. Scarce CCL19(+) and CCL21(+) cells were also noted in metastatic and non-metastatic lymph nodes. No association was found between the expression of these chemokines and clinical and microscopic parameters. Our findings would suggest that CCL19 and CCL21 may not be associated with cervical lymph node metastasis or other clinical and microscopic factors in OSCC.

Unicystic ameloblastoma in a child: a differential diagnosis from the dentigerous cyst and the inflammatory follicular cyst

Unicystic ameloblastoma (UA) is a benign epithelial odontogenic tumor of the jaws with an aggressive potential that commonly occurs in children. This cystic odontogenic neoplasm is generally asymptomatic and found during routine radiographs. The purposes of this report were to describe a case of UA involving the crown of the unerupted right mandibular second premolar in an 11-year-old girl under orthodontic treatment, and discuss its diagnosis and radiographic and microscopic findings, emphasizing its distinction from the dentigerous cyst and the inflammatory follicular cyst.

Decrease in mast cells in oral squamous cell carcinoma: Possible failure in the migration of these cells

It is becoming accepted that multiple cell types in stromal microenvironment are involved in tumorigenesis. In this setting, mast cells (MC) display a diversity of roles that may contribute to the defense against tumors or tumor progression. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate density and migration of MCs in OSCC (oral squamous cell carcinoma) and pre-malignant oral hyperkeratosis (leukoplakia) as well as their relationship with clinical and microscopic parameters. The tryptase and c-kit expression was analyzed in 38 cases of OSCC, 26 cases of leukoplakia, and 12 cases of clinically healthy oral mucosa (control) by means of immunohistochemistry. The tryptase(+) cell numbers were decreased in OSCC (P=0.0003) and leukoplakia (P=0.03) compared with control. Similar numbers of tryptase(+) cells were observed in leukoplakia and OSCC (P=0.31). The density of c-kit(+) MCs was also significantly lower in OSCC and leukoplakia in relation to control resulting in a reduced c-kit(+)/tryptase(+) relationship in OSCC (19%) in comparison with leukoplakia (59%) and control (63%). No correlation was observed between MC populations with clinical and microscopic characteristics of OSCC. Our findings suggest that the decrease in MC numbers in pre-malignant and malignant oral lesions may be related to the migration failure of these cells, possibly reflecting an important modification in the microenvironment during tumor initiation and progression.