Abstract
Introduction: In India, oral cavity cancer contributes to significant morbidity and mortality. Since only few of premalignant lesions turn into cancer and routine histopathology has limited prognostic value, therefore we need to devise methods to ascertain premalignant lesions with high potential for conversion to malignancy, appropriate management and early diagnosis of cancers. Cytokeratin K8 (CK8) may be used as surrogate markers in oral premalignant lesion and cancers, so we conducted the present study with an aim to evaluate & compare expression of CK8 in normal oral mucosa, leukoplakia as well as Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Material and Methods: The present study included 107 pathological specimens of histologically proven cases of OSCC (n=19), leukoplakia (n=77) and benign lesions (n=10). All the cases were subjected to immunohistochemistry to check the expression of CK8 antibodies. Correlation was evaluated statistically by Chi-square test. Result: Increased expression of CK8 was seen in OSCC and leukoplakia with dysplasia. No immunoreactivity was seen in benign oral mucosa. Expression of CK8 was significantly correlated with dysplasia and cancer. Conclusion: CK8 can be used as marker of sequential premalignant changes in oral cancers.
Highlights
In India, oral cavity cancer contributes to significant morbidity and mortality
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) may be preceded by premalignant lesions
Histopathological assessment based on dysplasia as predictive marker for malignant transformation of premalignant lesions is subjective and less sensitive [6,7]
Summary
In India, oral cavity cancer contributes to significant morbidity and mortality. Since only few of premalignant lesions turn into cancer and routine histopathology has limited prognostic value, we need to devise methods to ascertain premalignant lesions with high potential for conversion to malignancy, appropriate management and early diagnosis of cancers. Cytokeratin K8 (CK8) may be used as surrogate markers in oral premalignant lesion and cancers, so we conducted the present study with an aim to evaluate & compare expression of CK8 in normal oral mucosa, leukoplakia as well as Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Material and Methods: The present study included 107 pathological specimens of histologically proven cases of OSCC (n=19), leukoplakia (n=77) and benign lesions (n=10). Result: Increased expression of CK8 was seen in OSCC and leukoplakia with dysplasia. Expression of CK8 was significantly correlated with dysplasia and cancer. Leukoplakia with dysplasia and oral submucous fibrosis are the most common premalignant lesions in oral cavity [4]. Histopathological assessment based on dysplasia as predictive marker for malignant transformation of premalignant lesions is subjective and less sensitive [6,7]
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