Role of tissue markers associated with tumor microenvironment in the progression and immune suppression of oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Head and neck cancers (HNC) continues to dominate major cancers contributing to  mortality worldwide. Squamous cell carcinoma is the major type of HNC. Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma grouped under HNC is a malignant tumor occurring in the oral cavity. The primary risk factors of OSCC are tobacco, alcohol consumption, etc. This review focuses on modulations, mechanisms, growth and differentiation of oral squamous cell carcinoma. Cancer cell surrounds itself with a group of elements forming a favorable environment known as tumor microenvironment (TME). It consists of numerous cells which includes immune cells, blood cells and acellular components that are responsible for the progression, immunosuppression, metastasis and angiogenesis of cancer. This review highlights the most important tissue biomarkers (mTOR, CAF, FOXp3, CD163, CD33, CD34) that are associated with TME cells. mTOR remains as the primary regulator responsible in cancer and its importance towards immune-suppression is highlighted. Tumor-associated macrophages associated with cancer development and its relationship with immunomodulatory mechanism and Tregs, which are potential blockers of immune response and its mechanism and aberrations are discussed. Cancer-associated fibroblasts that are a part of TME and their role in evading the immune response and myeloid derived suppressor cells that have slight control over the immune response and their mechanism in the tumor progression is further explained. These markers have been emphasised as therapeutic targets and are currently in different stages of clinical trials.

Massive Infected Dentigerous Cyst in a Young Child.

Dentigerous cysts are odontogenic cysts that form on the crown of an unerupted or partially erupted tooth. They are specifically anchored to the cementoenamel junction. Dentigerous cysts are known to rarely involve impacted deciduous teeth. Because of this rarity, this article reports a unique case of a five-year-old female patient who developed a dentigerous cyst in relation to a developing permanent left mandibular first molar tooth with its surgical treatment and histopathological features.

Evaluation of Oral Health Status Using the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index Among the Geriatric Population in India: A Pilot Study.

Introduction and aim Clinical indicators alone are insufficient for evaluating oral health. In addition to health and disease, oral health includes socio-dental indicators of physical, psychological, and social aspects of well-being. The adaptive capacity of an individual influences the perception of oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). Indices such as the Oral Health Impact Profile, Oral Impacts on Daily Performances, and the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) have been used to measure OHRQoL. This study was designed to assess OHRQoL in older individuals using the GOHAI. Methods Subjects aged older than 65 years who visited our institution from January to March 2016 were included. Subjects with cognitive behavior disorders were excluded. Subjects were assigned into three groups based on age: 65-69 years, 70-74 years, and 75 years or older. The participants were asked 12 questions, and their responses were assessed by age group. Our Institutional Ethics Committee approved the study protocol. Results The 219 subjects recruited included 126 (57.5%) patients aged 65-69 years, 57 (26.0%) patients aged 70-74 years, and 36 (16.4%) patients aged 75 years or older. Several physical, physiological, and psychological aspects of the GOHAI differed significantly among these three groups, with overall OHRQoL decreasing with age. Conclusion Although oral healthcare problems were widespread in the geriatric population, they were not a primary concern. Attitudes toward dentistry require improvement. However, further studies in larger populations are required to assess geriatric oral health.

Role of Mast Cells in Oral Lichen Planus and Oral Lichenoid Reactions.

INTRODUCTION: Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic T cell mediated disease of oral mucosa, skin, and its appendages with a prevalence of 0.5 to 2.6% worldwide. Oral lichenoid reactions (OLR) are a group of lesions with diverse aetiologies but have clinical and histological features similar to OLP, thereby posing a great challenge in differentiating both lesions. Mast cells are multifunctional immune cells that play a major role in the pathogenesis of lichen planus by release of certain chemical mediators. Increased mast cell densities with significant percentage of degranulation have been observed as a consistent finding in pathogenesis of oral lichen planus. AIM: The current study was aimed at quantifying the mast cells in histopathological sections of OLP and OLR thereby aiding a means of distinguishing these lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study group involved 21 cases of oral lichen planus, 21 cases of oral lichenoid reactions, and 10 control specimens of normal buccal mucosa. All the cases were stained with Toluidine Blue and routine haematoxylin and eosin and the mast cells were quantified. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: The results were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test and an intergroup analysis was performed using Mann-Whitney U test. CONCLUSION: The number of mast cells showed an increased value in oral lichen planus when compared to oral lichenoid reaction and thus an estimation of mast cells count could aid in distinguishing OLP from OLR histopathologically.

Revisiting Cementoblastoma with a Rare Case Presentation.

Cementoblastoma is a rare benign odontogenic neoplasm which is characterized by the proliferation of cellular cementum. Diagnosis of cementoblastoma is challenging because of its protracted clinical, radiographic features, and bland histological appearance; most often cementoblastoma is often confused with other cementum and bone originated lesions. The aim of this article is to overview/revisit, approach the diagnosis of cementoblastoma, and also present a unique radiographic appearance of a cementoblastoma lesion associated with an impacted tooth.