The expression of cell adhesion molecule (CD44) in mucoepidermoid carcinoma and its prognostic value

Abstract

The most common malignant salivary gland tumors that affect both adult and children is mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC). It usually affects both minor and major salivary glands but parotid gland is considering the most common site in which this tumor arises. Histologically, MECs are composed of epidermoid, mucous, and intermediate cells and graded to low, intermediate, and high according to one of the following grading systems: modified Healey system, the AFIP grading system, and Brandwien system. This grade scheme for MEC is important to determine the tumor progression and patient management. A total of 15 cases of MECs will be evaluated immunohistochemically for CD44 expression. CD44, a trans-membrane glycoprotein, is an adhesion molecule of cell surface that play a role in the connections between cell-cell and cell- matrix. Many malignant tumors express high levels of CD44 like breast and prostate cancer, thus, CD44 may be used as an indicator of aggressive behavior of some human malignancy. However, the role of CD44 in MEC remains unclear. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the immunohistochemical staining of CD44 in different grades of mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC). This result will further correlated with clinic-pathological data to determine if this staining can predict the tumor biological behavior.