Immunohistochemical analysis of osteopontin expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common malignant neoplasm of the oral cavity. Osteopontin (OPN) has been proved as a biomarker in varying malignant tumors. Only limited studies detail the role of OPN in OSCC. AIMS: This study aims to demonstrate the expression of OPN in OSCC and to correlate the expression of OPN with the histologic grades of OSCC. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This is a retrospective immunohistochemical study in Dravidian population (linguistically Malayalam). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty diagnosed cases of OSCC were subjected to immunohistochemistry using OPN antibody for detection of OPN expression. Ten normal oral mucosal specimens were also stained as controls. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Chi-square test and ANOVA followed by Bonferroni test. RESULTS: OPN expression was significantly higher in OSCC patients than in controls. In normal oral mucosal specimens, none of them showed OPN immunoreactivity. A significant difference was observed between total scores and intensities of normal and varying grades of OSCC. A significant difference was also observed between the percentage of positive cells for OPN expression of normal and varying grades of OSCC. However, no significant difference was observed between the percentage of positive cells for OPN expression of well-, moderate-, poorly-differentiated carcinomas. Correlation of OPN expression with lymph node status, site, and sex was found to be statistically insignificant. CONCLUSION: Insights gained from this study may lead to research targeted at the treatment of OSCC.

Tooth agenesis: A susceptible indicator for colorectal cancer?

CONTEXT/BACKGROUND: Tooth agenesis (excluding third molars) is a common congenital disorder that affects 2.2-10% of the general population. A number of different genes have been shown to be associated with cases of tooth agenesis including AXIN2, IRF6, FGFR1, MSX1, PAX9, and TGFA. Wingless/integration signaling gene, AXIN2, is linked to tooth agenesis and also to colorectal cancer (CRC). AIMS: To analyze the correlation between tooth agenesis and CRC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 50 individuals, who were divided into two groups. Group A: 25 individuals diagnosed with CRC and Group B: 25 individuals as a control group. The clinical details were recorded using preformed questionnaire, approved by ethical committee. Orthopantomogram was obtained for all the cases and controls. RESULTS: We observed that 16% of cases and 8% of controls reported having tooth agenesis and there was no statistical significance of difference between them (P = 0.384). Among the study group, 4% reported oligodontia and 12% cases reported hypodontia. In the control group 8% reported hypodontia, there was no incidence of oligodontia. Additional finding in the study group was that 24% cases had fissured tongue which was not seen in the control group. CONCLUSION: Individuals with tooth agenesis might have an increased risk for CRC. A larger epidemiological study along with genetic mapping and gene sequencing is necessary to rule out the risk and relationship between tooth agenesis and CRC.

Correlation of lip patterns, gender, and blood group in North Kerala population: A study of over 800 individuals.

CONTEXT: With the ever-changing field of criminal justice, the constant revision of criteria for acceptable evidence by the judiciary poses new challenges in forensic investigation. The applicability of cheiloscopy in individual identification is an area of extensive research in recent years. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to determine the distribution of different lip print patterns in North Kerala population, to assess any sexual dimorphism in lip patterns, and to correlate lip print patterns with ABO and Rh blood groups. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 858 students, 471 males and 387 females, from different colleges in the district of Kozhikode in North Kerala were included in the study. Lip prints were obtained using lipstick and cello tape and transferred onto white papers. Blood group of the participants was noted. RESULTS: The most predominant pattern observed was Type I (48.3%), followed by Type II, Type III, Type IV, Type I', and Type V. We also observed that the lower lip exhibited an overwhelming predominance of Type I pattern in the North Kerala population while the upper lip showed a more even distribution. Gender-wise difference was observed with Type II being the most common in males and Type IV being the predominant pattern in females. No correlation was obtained between the blood groups and lip patterns. CONCLUSION: The potential usefulness of cheiloscopy in forensic medicine still remains largely untapped and under-recognized. Similar studies in different populations with large sample sizes will allow a more definite picture of lip print patterns to emerge.

Expression of survivin and p53 in oral lichen planus, lichenoid reaction and lichenoid dysplasia: An immunohistochemical study.

CONTEXT: The malignant transformation potential of oral lichen planus (OLP) and related lesions is a subject of great controversy. AIM: The aim of this study was to compare the expression of proteins related to apoptosis and tumour suppressor gene processes in OLP, oral lichenoid reaction (OLR) and oral lichenoid dysplasia (OLD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The immunohistochemical study was carried out to investigate the expressions of survivin and p53 in a total of 30 lesional biopsy specimens - 10 cases each of OLP, OLR and OLD. The expression rates were further compared with 10 control specimens of normal oral mucosa (NORM). RESULTS: Immunoreactivity for p53 was seen in 7 cases (70%) of OLD, 4 cases (40%) of OLP and 2 cases (20%) of OLR and none of NORM. We obtained a significant difference (P = 0.01) in mean p53 expression between the different entities. The positive staining rate of survivin was found to be significantly different between OLD (50%), OLP (10%), OLR (0%), and normal mucosa (0%) (P = 0.004). There was a positive correlation between p53 and survivin expression in OLP and OLD using Pearson's correlation coefficient. CONCLUSION: Lichenoid dysplasia has shown p53 and survivin expression in the range of not OLP, but leukoplakia. On the other hand, OLR seems to be an innocuous lesion. The study results with OLP are inconclusive but points toward a small but important malignant potential in OLP. This kind of comparative study highlights the importance of biopsying OLP and related lesions for proper diagnosis and appropriate management.

Intraosseous lipoma of mandible presenting as a swelling.

Lipomas are the most common form of benign mesenchymal tumors and are composed of mature adipocytes. They can occur anywhere in the body where fat is found and thus, called as the 'universal tumor' or the 'ubiquitous tumor'. Intraosseous lipomas (IOL) are among the rarest (0.1%) of primary bone tumors and are very rarely seen in head and neck bones. They have been subdivided based on the site of origin within bone, into intramedullary and intracortical. Of the two, few cases of intramedullary lipoma have been reported intraorally and none of the latter. Intraosseous lipomas are usually asymptomatic and are detected incidentally on radiographs taken for other complaints. Here, we report a case of intraosseous lipoma in the mandible presenting as a large swelling.

Amelanotic melanoma masquerading as a granular cell lesion.

Amelanotic melanoma (AM) presents a diagnostic challenge due to its wide clinical presentations, lack of pigmentation, and varied histological appearances. Immunohistochemistry plays a crucial role in the diagnosis of these lesions. Amelanotic melanoma of oral mucosa is an uncommon lesion. We report a case of a 50-year-old male patient with a growth on the anterior mandibular gingiva of seven-month duration. In the present case, histologically, the tumour resembled a granular cell lesion, which has not been reported previously in AM. Diagnosis was possible by a sequential panel of immunohistochemical markers, of which finally vimentin, S100, HMB45, and Melan-A were positive. The tumor was surgically excised, and postsurgical radiotherapy was given.