Tumor-associated tissue eosinophilia in oral squamous cell carcinoma – A predictable biological behavior

Abstract

Objectives: Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity is the most common aggressive epithelial malignant neoplasm. Its biological behavior is influenced by the host immune cells, such as multifaceted eosinophils, associated with wound healing and tissue damage processes. Their presence within a variety of human cancers raises queries about their role. The infiltrations of tumor stroma by eosinophils are believed to play a significant role in progression of the carcinoma and could be either a potential diagnostic tool for stromal invasion or as a prognostic indicator. Its role in cancer still remains unclear since in the literature, there are very few studies showing improved prognosis and few contradictory studies showing poor prognosis. This study was conducted with an aim to compare the tumor-associated tissue eosinophilia in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and normal tissue and to correlate the expression in different grades of carcinoma using a special stain that targets eosinophils exclusively and vividly. Materials and Methods: The study includes 30 samples, six normal, and 24 histopathologically diagnosed with OSCC. 5 μ thick sections were made and stained using special stain and examined under high power (×40), ten consecutive microscopic fields were studied. The average numbers of eosinophils were statistically analyzed. Results: Eosinophil count for carcinoma was higher compared to normal mucosa, but the comparison in different grades of cancer did not show much difference. Conclusion: Since eosinophil count was higher in carcinoma, eosinophil infiltration in dysplastic cases should prompt thorough evaluation for invasiveness.