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Various studies have demonstrated that the lymphatic system is the additional route for solid tumor metastasis. Lymph nodes metastasis in Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a major prognostic indicator for disease progression and a guide for therapeutic strategies. We conducted a study to compare intratumoral (IT) and peritumoral (PT) lymphatic vessel density (LVD) in HNSCC using lymphatic marker D2-40 and its correlation with lymph node metastasis, histological grading and other clinicopathological parameters. Fifty specimen of HNSCC with modified radical neck dissection tissue were included in the study group. Tissue from tumor, peritumoral tissue, tumor margin and all the lymph nodes were processed for paraffin wax blocks and histopathological diagnosis. Immunohistochemical profile of lymphatic vessels in intratumoral and peritumoral tissue was assessed by subjecting one section each from the tumor and peritumoral tissue to D2-40 immunostain. To determine LVD, four fields with the highest LVD (hot spots) were identified. The mean values were calculated by taking an average of all the measurements. The comparison of LVD between peritumoral and intratumoral area revealed significantly higher PT-LVD (P = 0.001). No significant association was seen between LVD, IT-LVD and PT-LVD and different age groups, gender, site of tumor, risk factors, size of tumor, tumor inflammation, pushing/infiltrating margin and stage of tumors. Significantly higher LVD, IT-LVD and PT-LVD was seen in association with lymph node metastasis. Both high intratumoral and peritumoral LVD were found significantly associated with the presence of lymph node metastasis, however lymphatic vessels were found to be significantly more numerous and larger in peritumoral areas as compared to intratumoral lymphatics. The specificity of D2-40 as a lymphatic endothelial marker was also confirmed. The results of our study support the possibility of using the determination of tumor lymphangiogenesis to identify patients of HNSCC who are at risk of developing the lymph node metastasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Blood vessel counts using CD105 staining are more informative marker of prognosis as compared with staining by other endothelial markers. We conducted a study to compare intratumoral (IT) and peritumoral (PT) microvessel density (MVD) in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) using endothelial marker CD105 and its correlation with lymph node metastasis, histological grading, and other clinicopathological parameters. Materials and Methods: Fifty cases of HNSCC with modified radical neck dissection specimens were included in the study group. Representative blocks were prepared from tumor, PT tissue, tumor margins, and all the lymph nodes. Histopathological diagnosis and other parameters were established on the routine hematoxylin and eosin stain. Immunohistochemical profile of blood vessels in IT and PT tissues was assessed by subjecting one section each from a representative block of the tumor and PT tissue to CD105 immunostain. To determine MVD, four fields with the highest MVD (hotspots) were identified. The mean values were calculated by taking an average of all the measurements. Results: No significant association was seen between MVD, IT-MVD, and PT-MVD and different age groups, male/female patients, risk factors, site of tumor, size of tumor, presence/ absence of inflammation, pushing/infiltrating margin, and different stages of tumors. When compared in node positive and negative groups, a significantly higher MVD, IT-MVD, and PT-MVD was seen in association with lymph node metastasis. The comparison of MVD between PT and IT area revealed significantly higher IT-MVD (P = 0.001). Conclusion: In the study, we found a significant association of IT-MVD with lymph node metastasis and also observed CD105 as a highly specific marker for IT microvessels while PT vessels were not stained or weakly stained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Oral squamous cell carcinoma is a major cause of death throughout the developed world. It is associated with smoking and alcohol consumption. Human papillomavirus (HPV) type 16 has also been suggested to play a role in etiology of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). p16 expression is now being used as a surrogate marker of HPV infection in squamous cell carcinoma and provides important prognostic information and future therapy planning.Materials and Methods: In this prospective study, total of 75 cases of HNSCC were taken. Tumor grade was determined according to World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. p16 expression was determined by immunohistochemical staining. The obtained results were analyzed and evaluated using Chi-square test (Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20), value of P <0.05 was taken significant.Results: Out of 75 cases, 78.7% cases were positive for p16 (inclusive of all grades), while 21.3% cases were negative. Expression of p16 was higher in nonsmokers and nonalcohol consumers and significantly associated with paan chewing habit. No significant correlation was seen with history of abnormal sexual habits, but p16 expression was significantly correlated in cases with multiple sexual partners (P = 0.003), with increasing histological grade (P = 0.045) and in cases with lymph node metastasis (P = 0.03).Conclusion: As HPV integration with transcription of viral oncoprotein induces overexpression of p16, immunohistochemical expression of p16 can be used as a surrogate marker of HPV. This approach can be implemented in diagnostic laboratories and can provide support for vaccination program in high risk group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix is the most common gynecological malignancy in India. Direct extension from a cervical growth can involve the uterine corpus, but a superficial spread, without invasion of the underlying myometrium, is uncommon. We report three cases of squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix, with superficial extension to the whole endometrial cavity, by expansile intraepithelial growth. Clinically, two of our cases presented with pyometra and one with vaginal bleeding and discharge. The tumor had spread superficially into the entire endometrial cavity, up to the fundus, replacing the columnar epithelium totally. This was a rare phenomenon, with fewer than 30 cases reported in literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]