Grades Of OSCC Research Articles

Immunohistochemical expression of COX-2, Ki-67, Bcl-2, Bax, VEGF and CD105 according to histological grading in oral squamous cell carcinoma

IntroductionOral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most prevalent head and neck cancer. Few studies have analyzed the expression of proteins related to inflammation (COX-2) and tumor progression according to the histological grade of OSCC. ObjectiveAnalyze the immunohistochemical expression of COX-2, Ki-67 (cell proliferation), Bcl-2/Bax (apoptosis), VEGF, and CD105 (angiogenesis) according to histological grades of OSCC. Material and methodsThe immunohistochemical expression of COX-2, Ki-67, Bcl-2, Bax, VEGF, and CD105 of 58 cases of OSCC was analyzed. 13 cases of oral mucosa (OM) were analyzed as controls. ResultsCOX-2, VEGF, CD105, and Ki-67 were higher in OSCC than in OM, particularly in poorly differentiated OSCC (p<0.05). Bax expression was lower in poorly differentiated OSCC (p<0.001). The Bcl-2/Bax ratio was higher in OSCC compared to MO (p<0.05). ConclusionThere are immunohistochemical differences according to histological grades of OSCC, which could influence clinical behavior.

Assessment of the association of OCT3/4 with GLUT1 and CD105 in oral squamous cell carcinoma using dual immunohistochemistry

BackgroundOral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common cancer affecting the oral and maxillofacial region. This study aimed to investigate the role of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in angiogenesis and hypoxic response in OSCC.MethodsThis retrospective observational study evaluated 56 cases of OSCC using dual immunohistochemistry. Octamer-binding transcription factor 3/4 (OCT3/4) marker was used to evaluate CSC activity. Glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) marker was used to evaluate the hypoxic response and angiogenesis, while endoglin (CD105) was used to evaluate the late stage of angiogenesis and blood vessel formation.ResultsCo-expression of OCT3/4 and GLUT1 was noted in 11 of 12 patients with grade III OSCC. However, we did not observe co-expression of these markers in 13 of 22 patients with grade I OSCC. Although we observed a significant correlation between co-expression of GLUT1 and OCT3/4 and tumor grade, there was no significant correlation between co-expression of OCT3/4 and CD105 and different grades of OSCC.ConclusionsCSCs could play important roles in the initial stages of hypoxic response and angiogenesis. Our result reported that in higher grades of OSCC, GLUT1 as a first response to hypoxic situations might be a result of CSCs. Further studies are required to discover other biomarkers, their roles, and associated pathways of CSCs in OSCC.

The road less travelled: Skeletal muscle invasion in oral squamous cell carcinoma

IntroductionOral squamous carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the most challenging global constraint and currently the third most common cancer in India. Malignant cells exhibit anomalous morphological characteristics like increased and abnormal mitosis which might suffice as a prognostic indicator. Skeletal muscles present in close approximation with the oral epithelium are often encountered by the tumor cells of OSCC which is an uncharted territory and might serve as a critical parameter in assessing the outcome of OSCC. Amalgamation of mitotic count and skeletal muscle invasion can put forward cogent paths in discerning the behavior of these lesions. Material & methodsA total of 60 histopathologically diagnosed cases of well, moderately and poorly-differentiated OSCC cases were obtained from the archives. Hematoxylin and eosin-stained slides were examined for Mitotic count and Skeletal muscle invasion. ResultsThere was a statistically significant increase in Mitotic count from well-differentiated to poorly-differentiated OSCC. Despite the statistically insignificant difference there was a distinct rise of skeletal muscle invasion from well-differentiated to poorly-differentiated OSCC. ConclusionThe rise in mitotic count with increasing grades of OSCC suggests an increase in their proliferation rate. Owing to the marked elevation of skeletal muscle invasion in higher grades of OSCC, we can assume it to be a reliable predictor of aggressiveness and outcome. Further studies with a uniform sample size and site specificity might help in solidifying their role in assessing the prognosis of OSCC.

To determine the levels of serum pyruvic acid in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Aim: To determine the levels of serum pyruvic acid in oral squamous cell carcinoma.Methods: The research comprised 50 individuals with clinically proved and histopathologically confirmed instances of OSCC. The control group consisted of 50 healthy adults. 5ml of venous blood was drawn from a big peripheral vein of the patients chosen. The samples were taken in sterile plastic tubes that had been treated with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). By gently shaking the tubes, blood was mixed with EDTA. To stop the pace of biochemical and bacterial reactions, blood samples were immediately moved to a deep freeze at 4°C. The biochemical examination of the obtained serum was performed using the modified 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine technique, and the absorbance was measured using a spectrophotometer. Results: T1 contained 11 (22% of the cases), T2 included 20 (40% of the cases), T3 included 11 (22% of the cases), and T4 included 3 (6% of the cases). OSCC patients were classified as well differentiated, moderately differentiated, or poorly differentiated based on histopathological grading. The well-differentiated grade comprised 20 (40%) examples, the moderately differentiated grade included 20 (40%) cases, and the badly differentiated grade included 10 (20%) cases. The levels of pyruvic acid in the blood were measured in both the study and control groups. The mean serum pyruvic acid levels with SD for the control group (0.78± 0.11) and OSCC (3.01± 0.45) are computed. The difference in mean serum pyruvic acid levels between groups was found to be statistically significant (P< 0.05). Conclusion: Serum pyruvic acid levels steadily climbed from those who did not have OSCC to those who did. Higher serum pyruvic acid levels were seen with rising clinical stage, and mean serum pyruvic acid levels were revealed to be substantially increasing with advancing histological grades of OSCC.

Evaluation of Mast Cell Density using CD117 antibody and Microvessel Density Using CD34 Antibody in Different Grades of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Objective:To compare mast cell and microvessel densities among histologic grades of oral squamous cell carcinoma. Setting:Armed Forces Institute of Pathology. Materials and Methods: A total of 60 specimens of OSCC comprising 20 each of well, moderately and poorly differentiated were evaluated. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed to measure MCD and MVD by applying monoclonal CD117 antibody and monoclonal CD34 antibody, on formalin fixed and paraffin embedded sections. ANOVA and Post Hoc Tukey test was employed to assess the densities and to compare the differences between different grades of OSCC. A p-value <0.05 was considered to as significant. Results:There were 67% males and 33% females with a mean age of 60.1±16.0years. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed MCD to be 31.0±5.5 25.05±5.2, 10.90±3.5 in well, moderately and poorly differentiated OSCC. The intergroup comparison of decrease in MCD was also found to be statistically significant. The mean MVD was found to be 17.55±4.2, 20.35±3.6 and 28.60±3.2 in WDOSCC, MDOSCC and PDOSCC respectively. The pair wise result of MVD was found insignificant between well and moderately differentiated OSCC (p=0.057). However, the results of MVD was significant for well versus poorly differentiated and moderately versus poorly differentiated OSCC (p<0.001). Conclusion:The protective role of mast cells in OSCC is favored as a decrease in MCD is observed with the advancing histological grade of tumor. Significant results of MCD and MVD reveal that they can be used as an indicator for the disease progression in oral tumors This outcome might help delineating tumor population to get advantage from novel treatment modalities like mast cell degranulation blocking agents and anti-angiogenic therapy.

Tumor Associated Macrophages: A Review with Institutional Study

Aims: To study the expression of tumor-associated macrophages in different grades of squamous cellcarcinoma and find the association between their expression and local recurrence, metastasis.Methodology: Thirty tumor biopsy samples of oral squamous cell carcinoma in T1N0M0 and T2N0M0stages. Ten biopsy specimen of normal oral mucosa that are taken during minor oral surgical procedure withpatient consent.Result: Macrophages were found to have better specificity for local recurrence, metastasis, and survival.Further, higher expression of biomarkers was associated with shorter survival. We have analyzed thedifferential expression of MMP 9 in different grades of OSCC &amp; compare their expression with differentTNM staging of tumors.Conclusions: Concluding this review of tumor-associated macrophages in comparison with OSCC cases.Since metastases are the principal cause of death in cancer patients, a greater understanding of the process oftumor invasion and metastasis is essential in leading to the identification of new therapeutic targets.

A Comparative Study of Mast Cells Count in Different Histological Grades of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma by Using Toluidine Blue Stain.

BackgroundOral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the sixth most common cancer worldwide accounting for 90% of all malignant oral lesions with high mortality and a five-year survival rate of about 50%. Various studies have shown mast cells regulate carcinogenesis by immunosuppression, angiogenesis enhancement, and promotion of tumor cell mitosis.AimHence, the present study was aimed to compare mast cell counts in normal oral mucosa with histological grades of oral squamous cell carcinoma by using toluidine blue stain.MethodologySixty formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue samples included 15 well-differentiated, 15 moderately differentiated, and 15 poorly differentiated OSCC, as well as 15 cases of the normal oral mucosa (control), were sectioned and stained with 1% toluidine blue.ResultsWe observed that the mean mast cell (MMC) count was comparatively more in normal mucosa than in various grades of OSCC. It was higher in low-grade OSCC. However, the differences between grades were not statistically significant.ConclusionIn the present study, according to the results obtained, the MMC count was significantly decreased in OSCC in comparison with normal oral mucosa. Therefore, it can be assumed that mast cells could serve as an indicator of tumor progression.

Relation of Stromal Collagen with Mast Cells in Different Grades of OSCC

Relation of Stromal Collagen with Mast Cells in Different Grades of OSCC

P63 &amp; ki67 antigen expression in relation to the aggressiveness of oral squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract: Aim: To investigate the expression of p63 protein and ki67 antigen in a series of graded OSCC to evaluate the potential association between the expression of the two markers and the aggressiveness of histologic grades of OSCC. Methods: Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) and streptavidin-biotin immunoperoxidase staining techniques was used to detect the expression of p63 & ki67 in different grades of OSCC. Evaluation of immunostaining was done using computer image analyzer system & statistical analysis. Results: regarding p63 & ki67 expression were obtained by comparing the area % between different grading of OSSC, there was a statistically highly significant difference between different grades of OSCC (P<0.01) & there was a statistically significant direct correlation between p63 & ki67 stain. Conclusion: These results suggest that p63 & ki67 could reflect biological features, such as proliferation and differentiation for recognition of clinical behavior of OSCC also p63 & ki67 alteration may be associated with the progression of these neoplasms.

Assessment of morphological changes in collagen fibers in various histological grades of OSCC using various stains

Assessment of morphological changes in collagen fibers in various histological grades of OSCC using various stains

Is Salivary Sialic Acid a Reliable Biomarker in the Detection of Oral Potentially Malignant Disorder and Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Glycoprotein is an important constituent of saliva, and the observed increase in salivary glycoproteins such as sialic acid in oral potentially malignant disorder (OPMDs) and OSCC has stimulated the interest of researchers to explore it as a possible biomarker. The study used 60 subjects, who were divided into three groups: Group I-20 subjects who were clinically and histopathologically diagnosed with OSCC; Group II-20 subjects who were clinically and histopathologically diagnosed with OPMDs; and Group III-20 healthy subjects with good oral hygiene and with no systemic disorders detected. Two millilitres of unstimulated salivary samples was collected in a pre-sterilized container to analyse total salivary sialic acid (TSA) levels using a sialic acid kit and UV spectrophotometer. The TSA levels in OSCC (545.45 ± 100.04) were much higher when compared to the level in OPMDs (169.80 ± 66.43) and in healthy subjects (25.45 ± 16.07). Statically significant correlation was observed between different grades of OSCC. Moreover, sialic acid showed 100% sensitivity and specificity between all the three groups. Statistical analysis was done with Kruskal-Wallis, followed by Mann-Whitney post hoc test at P < 0.05. The results suggested the utility of sialic acid as an efficient biomarker.

Correlation between Inflammatory Signals and Tumor Associated Macrophages in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Background: Squamous cell carcinoma grows in a complex and dynamic stroma. This microenvironment provides all the necessary stimuli for tumor viability, growth and invasiveness. COX-2 is upregulated during both inflammation and cancer. CD163, a marker of M2 macrophages (Tumor associated macrophages- TAMs), has been studied in several aggressive tumors. The increased expression of CD163 was associated with a poor overall survival in various cancers. Aims of the Study: The present study aimed to correlate the inflammatory signals presented by COX-2 immunoexpresion with tumor associated macrophages expressing CD163 in different grades of OSCC. Materials and methods: Immunohistochemical expression of COX-2 and CD163 was evaluated in 30 cases of different grades of OSCC. Results: The mean difference between the well-differentiated level and the moderately differentiated level of COX-2 and CD 163 was statistically insignificant, while that between the well- and poorly differentiated and between the moderately and the poorly differentiated were highly statistically significant. Conclusions: inflammatory signals presented by COX-2 immunoexpression and TAM (CD163+ cells) were elevated with increased tumor grade.

A comparative immunohistochemical study of presence and distribution pattern of stromal myofibroblast in oral dysplasia and in different grades of oral squamous cell carcinoma

Aims and Objectives:Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a common oral malignancy with a poor survival rate. Early tumorigenesis is marked by transdifferentiation of fibroblasts to myofibroblasts (MFs), which is supported by growth factors and cytokines expressed by tumor cells. The expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (αSMA) marker correlates with the activation of MFs. This study was undertaken to compare the frequency and distribution of αSMA immunoexpression in oral epithelial dysplasia (OED) and OSCC.Materials and Methods:This study was conducted on samples collected from patients with oral epithelial dysplasia and oral SCC who visited Rajarajeswari Dental College and Hospital, Bengaluru. Tissue sections were subjected to Immunohistochemistry using αSMA marker, and cells were counted. The obtained data was subjected to Kruskal–Wallis test and Mann–Whitney U-test.Results:On performing Kruskal–Wallis test and Mann–Whitney U-test between the three groups (normal oral mucosa, OED, and OSCC) statistically significant result was found in the frequency between OED and OSCC and between normal tissue and OSCC. On comparing the distribution pattern, statistically significant result was found between OED and OSCC and between normal tissue and OSCC.Conclusion:The expression of MFs increases as the disease progresses from high-grade epithelial dysplasia to invasive OSCC. Poorly differentiated SCC showed more attendance of positive MFs in the stroma than other grades of OSCC. The rise in the number of αSMA-positive MFs and change in distribution pattern in OSCC can be associated with tumor invasive characteristics. Thus, the proliferation of MFs may be used as a stromal marker of premalignancy and malignancy.

Expression of E-cadherin and B-cell lymphoma 2 in oral cancer: A ratio-based planning for targeted therapy.

Oral cancer is known to be governed by the antiapototic and loss of cell adhesion properties which dictate its progression. To study the immunexpression of E-cadherin and Bcl-2 in varying TNM stages and histopathological grades of OSCC. 11 cases of well differentiated, 10 cases of moderately differentiated and 11 cases of poorly differentiated OSCC were studied immunohistochemically using archival paraffin embedded tissue specimens. Differences between the different variables were analyzed using ANOVA test, Kruskal-Wallis test and post hoc test followed by Bonferroni test. The resulting data was analyzed using SPSS software version 19. The expression of Bcl-2 and E cadherin immunopositivity was associated positively with tumor grade, high T category and Histopathological grades. The results of this study points to the significance of cell proliferation and invasion as a major determinant of prognosis in OSCC.

Expression of Prostanoid EP3 Receptors in Oral Squamous Epithelium and Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Objectives. To carry out a descriptive analysis of the expression of the EP3 receptors of PGE2 in different histological grades of OSCC and adjacent normal epithelium. Material and Methods. A total of 46 patients presenting with various histological subtypes and grades of OSCC were recruited from Maxillofacial Surgery Department of Nishtar Institute of Dentistry Multan. Microscopically tumour subtyping and histological grading according to Anneroth's grading system were carried out. Immunohistochemical staining with rabbit polyclonal EP3 receptor antibody was performed and sections were scored for intensity and proportion of positive adjacent squamous epithelial and tumour cells. Results. Out of 46 patients n = 28 (60.9%) were well differentiated, n = 15 (32.6%) were moderately differentiated, and only n = 3 (6.5%) were poorly differentiated. All n = 46 cases of OSCC were positive for EP3 receptor antibody, n = 14 (30.4%) cases had strong intensity of anti EP3 antibody staining in tumour tissue, n = 17 (37%) cases showed moderate intensity, and n = 15 (32.6%) cases showed weak intensity. Conclusion. Prostanoid EP3 receptors are widely but variably expressed in OSCC. Most of well differentiated OSCC cases show a moderate to strong expression of EP3 receptors. However, insignificant statistical relation to histological grades of OSCC has been observed. This might be due to small sample size of the study.

Assessment of proliferative potential of tumor cells using KI-67 expression and morphometrical analysis for prognostication of oral squamous cell carcinomas

Background: Cancer cells exhibit a characteristic intrinsic ability of uncontrolled cell proliferation which plays a vital role in tumor development and progression. The Ki-67 antigen expression is strictly associated with cell proliferation which detects the cells entering the cell cycle. In addition, computer aided image analysis provides an objective and highly reproducible histological evaluation of OSCC. Assessment of Ki-67 expression along with morphometry may help in early and precise diagnosis and prognostication of OSCC. Aims: To correlate the ki-67 expression and the morphometrical parameters of oral squamous cell carcinomas and to assess the efficacy of the correlation in OSCC prognostication. Methods and material: OSCC cases (n=105) were examined immuno histochemically using Ki-67 antigen The nuclear area (NA), cell area (CA), nuclear perimeter (NP) and cell perimeter (CP) assessed using “image J 1.34 software”. The data was statistically analyzed. Results: Highly significant correlation was found between Ki-67 expression and the advancing grades of OSCC (p<.0001). NA (p=0.025), CA (p<.0001), NP (p=.027) and CP (p<.0001) of poorly differentiated OSCC were significantly lower than well differentiated and moderately differentiated OSCC. Follow up analysis revealed nuclear area and cell area to be higher in the recurrent cases than the non recurrent ones. Conclusion: Assessment of Ki- 67 expression and morphometry help in early and precise diagnosis and prognostication of OSCC. A correlation between Ki-67 expression and morphometrical analysis could not be ascertained in this study. Further studies with a larger sample number may provide more definitive results.

Role of neurotransmitter Substance P in progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma

BackgroundOral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most frequent type of head and neck cancers. ObjectivesIn the present study, we evaluated the expression and distribution of Substance P (SP) in different grades of OSCC and role of SP in its proliferation and progression. Subjects and methodsForty OSCC biopsies were immunohistochemically analyzed by using SP antibody, including 29 male and 11 female cases. 35% were well differentiated, 35% moderately differentiated and 30% poorly differentiated OSCC. The majority of patients were in the age range of 41–80 years. 62% of the cases were positive for SP. SP positivity was expressed in the cytoplasm of the tumor cells. Most of the positive cases were from the tongue region. Results93% of moderately differentiated, 92% of poorly differentiated and 8% of well-differentiated carcinomas were SP-positive, but SP expression intensity was highest in poorly differentiated cases (+3). More positive patients were males (68.96% of all male patients) with moderately and poorly differentiated OSCC. Among all positive cases, 48% were poorly differentiated, 48% moderately differentiated and 4% well differentiated. ConclusionStrong expression of SP in poorly and moderately differentiated cases suggests a role of SP in the progression and development of tumor. Expression of SP in the current study increased as the proliferation of cells increased. Prevalence of oral cancer in males may be due to the fact that they smoke and use pan, chewing gum, beetle nut etc. in this region. SP antagonists can help in the reduction and inhibition of oral cancer. SP has a diagnostic value with sensitivity of 92.5% and specificity of 93.7%. The positive predictive value is 96.2% and the negative predictive value 88.2%.

Immunohistochemical Distribution of Myofibroblasts in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Verrucous Carcinoma and Oral Epithelial Dysplasia”

Background: Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most frequent type of oral malignancy that exhibits certain histological variations and is associated with a high mortality rate .Verrucous carcinoma (VC) is considered to be an uncommon exophytic distinctive low-grade well differentiated pathological variant of OSCC. Several studies have shown that the microenvironment or stroma of neoplastic tissues plays an active role in tumor progression. Concurrent with the conversion of non-diseased epithelial tissue to pre-cancerous epithelium to carcinoma, the stroma also changes from normal to primed’ to activated or tumor associated’. Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the distribution of myofibroblasts in normal oral mucosa, oral epithelial dysplasia, verrucous carcinoma, and different histological grades of OSCC. Materials and methods: Twenty four formalin –fixed, paraffin -embedded tissue blocks (10 cases oral squamous cell carcinoma, 8 cases oral epithelial dysplasia and 6 cases verrucous carcinoma) were included in this study. An immunohistochemical analysis was performed using anti alpha - smooth muscle actin (a- SMA) monoclonal antibody. Results: All cases of OSCC, intraoral dysplasia and verruous carcinoma, and normal oral mucosa showed positive reaction of actin in the stromal smooth muscles surrounding blood and lymphatic vessels. All OSCCs demonstrated stromal immunostaining for a-SMA with different scores indicating the presence of myofibroblast. There were no myofibroblasts in the stroma of normal mucosa, epithelial dysplasia or verrucuos carcinoma samples indicated by negative a-SMA expression in them. Conclusion: The lack of myofibroblasts in normal, dysplastic oral epithelium and VC and their appearance in OSCC, suggests that the genetically altered epithelium (carcinomatous epithelium), besides the invasive behaviour of OSCC may have an inductive effect on the adjacent stroma to produce myofibroblasts. Key words: Dysplasia,Verrucous Carcuinoma, Oral Squamous Carcinoma, a-SMA

Expression of Bcl-2 and MIB-1 Markers in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC)- A Comparative Study.

Neoplasia results from various genetic and epigenetic factors. Our study focused on the pathogenesis which involved an imbalance in various molecular mechanisms which regulated cell proliferation and apoptosis. The anti-apoptotic mechanism is regulated by Bcl-2 gene, while Ki-67 is expressed exclusively in nuclei of proliferating cells. This study was done to evaluate the basic pathologic process which underlay well and poorly differentiated oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Thirty cases of oscc were selected, out of which 11 were well differentiated, 9 were moderately differentiated and 10 were poorly differentiated. Three slides of 4μm thickness were prepared out of each sample, which were then subjected to Hematoxylin and eosin stain (H&E) staining and two types of immunohistochemical (IHC) staining. Immunohistochmical markers used were Ki-67 (proliferative marker using MIB-1 (Molecular Immunology Borstel 1) antibody) and Bcl-2 (anti-apoptotic marker). The number of MIB-1 and Bcl-2 positive cells was calculated from ten different high power fields, by counting the number of positive cells per 50 cells in each field, by making a grid pattern. The overall percentage value for each case was evaluated for MIB-1 and Bcl-2 positive cells. Karl-Pearson's co-relation coefficient was calculated between MIB-1 and Bcl-2 in each group. The aim of this study was to co-relate the expression of Ki-67, a proliferative marker, by using MIB-1 antibody and Bcl-2, an anti-apoptotic marker in various grades of oscc and also to determine whether there was any co-relation between these two markers in the 30 cases of oscc . A statistically significant increase for MIB-1 and a statistically significant decrease for Bcl-2 was found in well to moderately to poorly differentiated Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). A statistically significant co-relation was also found between MIB-1 and Bcl-2 in poorly differentiated oscc . MIB-1 expression is predominant in well, moderate and poorly differentiated SCCs. Bcl-2 expression is predominant in well differentiated than in moderately and poorly differentiated oscc , which suggested that apoptosis probably played a major role in the early stages of carcinogenesis.

Assessment and Correlation of Single Stranded DNA Damage in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma with Broder's Histopathological Grading

Early detection of oral squamous cell carcinoma OSCC can prevent significant morbidity and can also increase the life expectancy of patients. Many methods have been devised to this effect but most are time consuming and expensive. Since DNAdamage is one of the principle features in cancer development assessment of DNA damage is an important prognostic indicator in patients with cancer. Single cell gel electrophoresis SCGE assay also known as Comet assay is a sensitive quick and cost effective method of detecting single stranded DNA damage in cells.The present study was carried out on the assumption that oral mucosal cells could show the DNA damage in OSCC. For this study smears were taken from lesion proper of 30 patients with OSCC and from the buccal mucosa of 30 normal healthy volunteers. This study was undertaken to evaluate the extent of DNA damage in oral smears of patients with OSCC and to determine correlation if any of the extent of DNA damage to Broders histopathological grading of OSCC. The mean DNA damage levels of both the groups were measured and statistically analyzed with students t test. A high statistical significance of p lt 0.0001 was found in DNA damage levels of oral mucosal cells between normal subjects and patients with OSCC. AStepwise increase in DNAdamage levels was also seen between the different grades of OSCC and statistical significance at p lt 0.0001 was found between all the grades by employing the one way Anova F technique.The findings of statistically significant increased DNA damage levels in oral mucosal cells in OSCC patients and their correlation to Broders histopathological grading suggest that comet assay may be used effectively to assess the prognosis of OSCC.