Update on molecular pathology in oral cancer and precancer.

Oral carcinogenesis is a multifactorial process involving numerous genetic events that alter normal functions of oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes. This may increase the production of growth factors or the number of receptors on the cell surface, and/or increase transcription factors or intracellular signal messengers. Together with the loss of tumour suppressor activity, these changes lead to a cell phenotype that can increase cell proliferation, with loss of cell cohesion, and infiltration of adjacent tissue thus causing distant metastasis. Molecular pathology is responsible for defining the molecular mechanisms that underlie the onset of oral precancer and cancer. The aim of this review is to describe recent advances in our understanding of the molecular control of the innumerable pathways related to these processes. These may lead to short- or medium term improvements in the diagnosis and prognosis of oral precancerous and cancerous lesions and to the development of novel therapeutic approaches to this disease.

Hallazgos artroscópicos en un caso de disco articular adherido de la ATM / Arthroscopic findings in a fixed disc case of the TMJ

El síndrome de disco adherido (SDA) o stuck syndrome de la articulación temporomandibular (ATM) es un fenómeno que ha sido descrito recientemente y cuya fisiopatogenia es una alteración bioquímica que se produce en algunas ATMs con disfunción temporomandibular. En el presente artículo describimos un caso clínico y especialmente los interesantes hallazgos artroscópicos encontrados, que ayudarían a corroborar el mecanismo fisiopatogénico propuesto. Son de especial relevancia la correcta posición discal dentro de la articulación y una zona eritematosa encontrada en la sinovial que recubre la fosa-eminencia glenoidea de la articulación

The anchored disc phenomenon (ADP) or ‘stuck syndrome’of the TMJ is a phenomenon that has only recently beendescribed, with a physiopathogeny of biochemical disturbances that are produced in some TMJs with temporomandibular dysfunction. In this article we describe a clinical case and, in particular, the interesting arthroscopic findings that help to corroborate the physiopathogenic mechanisms proposed. Of special relevance is the correct position of the disc within the joint and an erythematous area foundin the synovial membrane covering the glenoid fossa-eminence of the joint (AU)