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Introduction: Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is graded according to various histological factors which include the epithelial changes and the connective tissue changes. These features though could be identified in routine hematoxylin and eosin (H and E) staining; they could be better appreciated in special stains. This pilot study is an attempt to identify a single special stain that can act as an adjunct to H and E stain to help grade this potentially malignant disease. Aims and Objectives: To assess if special stains can improvise on differentiating the various histological changes seen in OSMF and to accordingly grade OSMF cases. Materials and Methods: Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue sections of OSMF-10 cases of each grade (n = 30). Three special stains: Van-Gieson, Mallory's trichrome and Masson trichrome. Statistical Analysis: The results obtained were tabulated and statistically analyzed using Chi-square test. Observations and Results: The thickness and degree of keratinization were best detected in Mallory's stain (100%) and were statistically significant; the subepithelial changes were better detected using special stains, especially Mallory's stain (100%). The changes in collagen fibers were better visualized in all three special stains but were not statistically significant. The changes in blood vessels were better detected in Van-Gieson's and Mallory's stain; the obtained results were statistically significant. The degree of fibrosis between muscle bundles could be detected in all the three special stains, but when compared the results were not statistically significant. The questionable areas of muscle degeneration, especially in deeper connective tissue were better detected in Mallory's (43%) and Masson's stain (43%) as compared to Van-Gieson stain (14%) and the results obtained were statistically significant. The inflammatory cells and dysplastic features are better visualized in routine H and E stains. Conclusion: Pathogenesis of OSMF is related to fibro-elastic and muscle degenerative changes in the connective tissue followed by secondary changes in epithelium. Routine H and E, stains all the connective tissue components in various shades of pink, use of special stains bestows contrast between different components of connective tissue, thus improvising grading of OSMF. Mallory's stain can be used as a single adjunct to H and E stain as both pattern of keratinization in the epithelium and changes in the superficial and deeper connective tissue could be ascertained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Oral cancer constitutes 3% of all neoplasms and is the eighth most frequent cancer in the world. Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) corresponds to 95% of all oral cancers. It is associated with severe morbidity, recurrence and reduced survival rates. Its prognosis is affected by several clinicopathologic factors, one of which is perineural invasion (PNI). It is the third most common form of tumor spread exhibited by neurotropic malignancies that correlate with aggressive behavior, disease recurrence and increased morbidity and mortality. In this retrospective study, our aim was to assess the presence of PNI in different grades of both primary and recurrent cases of OSCC correlating it with tumor size and lymph node status. The various patterns of PNI we encountered were also noted. Materials and Methods: PNI was assessed in 117 cases of primary and recurrent cases of OSCC. PNI was correlated with tumor thickness, lymph node status and with the different histologic grades. Location of PNI, density of PNI and various patterns of PNI were also assessed. Statistical Analysis: Chi-square test. Results: Our study showed that 47 out of 117 patients (40.5%) showed PNI. Both primary and recurrent tumors showed PNI of 42.50% and 40.50%, respectively. PNI was present in 34 out of 69 cases (49.3%) of clinically positive nodes. Around 79% of the nerves involved by PNI were intratumoral in location, 80% of the cases showed PNI density of 1-3 nerves per section and incomplete and/or "crescent-like" encirclement was the most common pattern of PNI noted in our study. Conclusion: Our study showed that the incidence of PNI was as high as 40% in OSCC. PNI was present in both primary and recurrent tumors, irrespective of its histologic grading. Tumor thickness and lymph node status correlated well with PNI. Therefore, the presence of PNI should be checked in every surgical specimen with OSCC as it gives significant prognostic value, influences treatment decisions, recurrence and distant metastasis. The presence of PNI necessitates more aggressive resection, coincident management of neck lymph nodes and the addition of adjuvant therapy. Also, targeted drug therapy for this type of tumor spread can open up new avenues in the treatment of OSCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: The behavior of odontogenic lesions varies with some tumors behaving like a cyst and some cysts behaving like tumors. p63, a member of the p53 family of tumor suppressor genes has recently come into light in view of its role as an oncogene. The aim of the present study was to investigate the expression of p63 protein in OKC, Solid ameloblastoma, Unicystic Ameloblastoma and Follicular tissue. Materials and Methods: p63 expression was compared in 12 cases of OKC, 12 Solid Ameloblastoma, 14 cases of Unicystic ameloblastoma and 10 cases of Follicular tissue using immunohistochemical technique. All 48 cases were subjected to heat-induced antigen retrieval method using citrate buffer in a pressure cooker. Then the sections were stained with anti-p63 polyclonal antibody and visualized using super sensitive polymer HRP detection system. In each case, number of cells showing p63 positivity were assessed in two compartments - basal and suprabasal and compared. Results: Statistical analysis showed that p63 expression in the suprabasal compartment in Odontogenic keratocysts was equivalent to that of central neoplastic cells of Solid Ameloblastoma and Unicystic Ameloblastoma type 3. Statistically significant difference in the expression of p63 was observed between OKC and Unicystic Ameloblastoma Type 1 and Solid Ameloblastoma and Unicystic Ameloblastoma Type 1. Conclusion: We conclude that the higher expression of p63 in these odontogenic lesions correlates well with their aggressive behavior and thereby suggesting alterations in treatment modalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]