Decreased expression of folate transport proteins in oral cancer.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to assess the expression of the 3 major folate transporters-folate receptors (FRs), reduced folate carrier (RFC), and proton-coupled folate transporter (PCFT)-in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). We hypothesized that patterns of expression of folate transporters would be different in OSCC compared with normal oral epithelium. STUDY DESIGN: We used immunohistochemistry to examine the expression of FR, RFC, and PCFT in 15 primary specimens collected from patients with OSCC, 2 human cadaveric samples of OSCC, and 12 normal human cadaveric oral tissues from a medical gross anatomy laboratory. Possible correlations between the expression of each folate transporter and patients' clinical data were determined. RESULTS: All 3 folate transporters were highly expressed in normal oral epithelium. In contrast, OSCC samples generally demonstrated low expression of FR, RFC, and PCFT, with wide distribution in the invading cancer cells. There were no differences in folate transporter expression between OSCC samples collected from patients and from human cadavers. The lowest expression of FR and PCFT characterized less-differentiated tumors, and the lowest expression of RFC correlated with higher lymph node involvement. CONCLUSIONS: Human oral cancer samples expressed decreased amounts of all 3 major folate transport proteins compared with controls from normal cadaveric oral tissues.

Giant keratoacanthoma of the lower lip: case report and review of the published literature.

Keratoacanthoma (KA) is an epithelial tumor mainly located on the sun-exposed skin of the face and hands of elderly patients. The giant form of KA affecting the lower lip is relatively rare, and only 2 of 9 recently reported cases were in women. This report describes a case of giant KA of the lower lip in a 62-year-old white woman and discusses clinical and histologic diagnosis and the therapeutic approach to this lesion. The patient reported a 2-month evolution of a nodule characterized by a brownish central plug of keratin and measuring approximately 2.0 cm in its greatest diameter. Keratoacanthoma may present some histopathologic features similar to those of squamous cell carcinoma, and careful attention is required to avoid an incorrect diagnosis. Following histopathologic confirmation of giant KA, complete excision of the lesion was performed. A 17-month follow-up examination revealed complete healing of the area and no signs of recurrence. Because giant KA of the lower lip may impair normal function and esthetics, surgical excision is the best choice for treating this lesion.

Cyclin D1 and Ki-67 expression correlates to tumor staging in tongue squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The immunohistochemical expression of Cyclin D1 and Ki-67 were analyzed in tongue squamous cell carcinomas (SCC), relating them to the clinical and morphological exhibition of these tumors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-nine patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria; clinical data included gender, age, ethnicity and use of licit drugs such as alcohol and tobacco. The TNM staging and histopathological differentiation grading was assessed for each case. In addition, T1 patients were gathered with T2 patients; and T3 patients were gathered with T4 patients to assemble two distinct groups: (T1/T2) and (T3/T4). RESULTS: The mean follow-up time was 24 months and 30% of the patients died as a consequence of the disease, while 23.3% lived with the disease and 46.7% lived lesion-free. T1 and T2 tumors showed statistically lesser Ki-67 and Cyclin D1 staining when compared to T3 and T4 tumors. CONCLUSIONS: Ki-67 and Cyclin D1 pose as auxiliary tools when determining the progression of tongue SCC at the time of diagnosis.

Noninvasive treatment choice for an aged down syndrome patient presenting a residual periapical cyst.

AIM: This is the first report to illustrate the marsupialization as an effective treatment for a Down Syndrome (DS) patient presenting a residual periapical cyst. BACKGROUND: These cysts occur within the alveolar ridge, usually at the local site of a previously extracted tooth that did not received proper curettage; usually the surgical excision of a cyst and also the vigorous curettage of a socket is very simple, if not for the fact that mentally disabled patients require rapid and non-stressful procedures. CASE DESCRIPTION: The 54-year-old DS patient represented herein received a minimally invasive marsupialization under local anesthesia. Due to the large extent of the lesion, the acrylic resin drain was maintained for 30 days. Through the following period, a daily irrigation of the cystic cavity with saline solution was carried out to prevent a secondary infection within the cystic cavity. A follow-up of 16 months showed no signs of recurrence. CONCLUSION: Marsupialization of residual periapical cyst is completely effective and safe, even for a DS patient that is considered to be at an advanced age. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Marsupialization poses as a minimally invasive choice for mentally disabled patients, even when presenting advanced ages; treatment success was stated by the easy clinical conduct, uneventful postoperative situation and the lack of recurrence along 16 months of follow-up.

Paracoccidioidomycosis mimicking squamous cell carcinoma on the dorsum of the tongue and review of published literature.

INTRODUCTION: Paracoccidioidomycosis is a disease that is endemic to southern and southeastern Brazil, caused by the fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. The most common clinical oral manifestation is the presence of multiple granulomatous ulcers with hemorrhagic dots, located mainly on the lips, palate, and buccal mucosa. However, the disease can manifest atypically as a single ulcer, mimicking oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) or tuberculosis. CASE REPORT: A 65-year-old male patient presented with a complaint of a single ulcerated lesion on the dorsum of the tongue; the lesion had evolved over 6 months. The diagnostic hypotheses were SCC and oral manifestation of tuberculosis. An incisional biopsy was performed, and histopathological analysis of the specimen revealed pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia, a granulomatous structure of epithelioid histiocytes, multinucleated giant cells, and lymphocytes in the connective tissue. Grocott staining confirmed the presence of the fungus in the lesion, and a diagnosis was made of paracoccidioidomycosis. The patient was treated with 200 mg/day of itraconazole for 12 months and now shows no signs or symptoms of recurrence of the disease. CONCLUSION: Correct diagnosis is essential for a successful therapeutic approach and resolution of the lesion.

Clinical management of suppurative osteomyelitis, bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis, and osteoradionecrosis: report of three cases and review of the literature.

In the past, osteomyelitis was frequent and characterized by a prolonged course, treatment response uncertainty, and occasional disfigurement. Today, the disease is less common; it is believed that the decline in prevalence may be attributed to increased availability of antibiotics and improvement of overall health patterns. Currently, more common osteomyelitis variants are seen, namely, osteoradionecrosis (ORN) and bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (BRONJ). Osteomyelitis, ORN, and BRONJ can present with similar symptoms, signs, and radiographic findings. However, each condition is a separate entity, with different treatment approaches. Thus, accurate diagnosis is essential for adequate management and improved patient prognosis. The aim of this paper is to report three cases of inflammatory lesions of the jaws-osteomyelitis, ORN, and BRONJ-and to discuss their etiology, clinical aspects, radiographic findings, histopathological features, treatment options, and preventive measures.

Conservative surgical-orthodontic treatment of a young patient with a dentigerous cyst / Tratamento cirúrgico conservador e ortodôntico em paciente jovem com cisto dentígero

Introdução: Cisto dentígero é um cisto odontogênico de desenvolvimento cuja abordagem terapêutica depende do tamanho da lesão. A proposta desse relato foi descrever o tratamento realizado em um paciente do gênero masculino de 14 anos de idade portador de cisto dentígero envolvendo o segundo molar permanente inferior esquerdo. Relato de caso: Foi realizada a exodontia do primeiro molar permanente inferior esquerdo e a lesão foi descomprimida e marsupializada através de um dreno de acrílico suturado na mucosa. O espécime retirado durante o ato cirúrgico confirmou o diagnóstico de cisto dentígero. Após 90 dias, houve diminuição significativa da lesão. Em seguida, iniciou-se o tratamento ortodôntico, que incluiu o tracionamento do dente impactado e a abertura de um espaço adequado com um aparelho fixo, proporcionando alinhamento e nivelamento favoráveis. Conclusão: A marsupialização e o tracionamento ortodôntico devem ser considerados quando se planeja o tratamento de cisto dentígero, principalmente em pacientes jovens com lesões extensas, a fim de preservar estruturas nobres adjacentes à lesão.

Introduction: The dentigerous cyst is a developmental odontogenic cyst, whose therapeutic approach depends on the size of the lesion. This paper describes the treatment performed on a 14-year-old male patient who presented with a large dentigerous cyst on the permanent mandibular left second molar. Case Report: The permanent mandibular left first molar was extracted, and the lesion was decompressed and marsupialized by excision of the overlying mucosa, opening a window into the cystic cavity and suturing an acrylic resin drain to the oral mucosa. The specimen removed during surgery confirmed the diagnosis of a dentigerous cyst. Within ninety days of surgery, there was a significant reduction in lesion size. Orthodontic treatment was then started, and included traction of the impacted tooth and opening of adequate space with a fixed appliance, providing favorable tooth alignment and leveling. Conclusion: Marsupialization and orthodontic traction should be considered when planning the treatment of a dentigerous cyst, mainly in young patients with large lesions, to avoid damage to the surrounding structures.