CD105 expression in oral capillary hemangiomas and cavernous hemangiomas.

Capillary hemangioma (capillary lobular hemangioma) and cavernous hemangioma (venous malformation) are relatively common oral tumors/malformations and are characterized by increased numbers of normal and abnormal blood vessels. However, the causes of these lesions are not well understood. CD105 (endoglin) is predominantly expressed in proliferating blood endothelial cells (ECs). We analyzed expressions of CD105, CD34, von Willebrand factor, Ki-67, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A in 31 capillary hemangiomas and 34 cavernous hemangiomas. Staining scores were calculated as the product of the proportion score and intensity score. Morphologically normal oral mucosa specimens (n = 10) were simultaneously evaluated as normal controls. As compared with cavernous hemangiomas and normal controls, capillary hemangiomas had higher staining scores for CD105, VEGF-A, and COX-2. The Ki-67 labeling index was significantly higher in capillary hemangiomas than in cavernous hemangiomas and normal controls (P < 0.01). These findings suggest that the biological characteristics of capillary and cavernous hemangiomas are quite different. The ECs of capillary hemangiomas actively proliferated and were generally regulated by VEGF-A. In contrast, the ECs of cavernous hemangiomas lacked proliferative activity. These results suggest that angiogenesis and vasodilatation of pre-existing blood vessels are important in the development of capillary hemangioma and cavernous hemangioma, respectively.

Pigmented oral carcinoma in situ: a case report and literature review.

Oral melanotic lesions, including melanin pigmentation, melanocytic nevus, and malignant melanoma, are well-recognized pathologic entities. However, melanocytic proliferation within malignant oral mucosal lesions is not well documented. We report the unusual case of a 53-year-old Japanese man who developed oral carcinoma in situ (CIS) with melanocytic proliferation and melanin pigmentation in the epithelial layer. The patient, a nonsmoker and an opportunistic drinker, presented with a brown tongue lesion. Initial examination found a large brown pigmented area and multiple small white patchy areas on the right tongue border. The pigmentation had an ill-defined border with uneven color distribution. Physical examination found no abnormalities. Ultrasonography did not find a deeply infiltrating lesion. Oral mucosal malignant melanoma in situ was diagnosed, and partial tongue resection was performed. Histopathologic examination found oral pigmented CIS. To the best of our knowledge, this is only the third reported case of oral pigmented CIS.