To evaluate the role of mast cells on angiogenesis in various grades of oral squamous cell carcinoma: A histochemical study.

Abstract

Background: Oral cancer is the sixth most common cancer, and 90% of them are oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC). As most OSCC are asymptomatic and are only detected at an advanced stage, the 5-year survival rate is only 50%. Thus, using novel prognosticators can minimise mortality and morbidity associated with OSCC. This study aims to evaluate the relationship between mast cells and angiogenesis in different grades of OSCC to analyse their role in its progression.

Material and methods: A total of 45 cases were included, comprising 10 well-differentiated SCCs (WDOSCC), 10 moderately differentiated SCCs (MDOSCC), and 10 poorly differentiated SCCs (PDOSCC). Additionally, five normal buccal mucosae (NBM) samples served as negative controls for OSCC. Five cases of neurofibroma and pyogenic granuloma were used as positive controls for mast cells and angiogenesis, respectively.

Results: The mean MCD in WDOSCC, MDOSCC, and PDOSCC were 3.2620 ± 2.65177, 3.0310 ± 1.38276, and 4.1580 ± 2.49482, respectively. The MVD in WDOSCC, MDOSCC, and PDOSCC were 10.2850 ± 4.35032, 9.9240 ± 2.72533, and 7.1520 ± 2.26966, respectively.

Discussion: MCD was the highest in PDOSCC, followed by WDOSCC and MDOSCC. These results indicate a redundant role of mast cells in OSCC, or they might jumpstart malignancy but are retarded with OSCC progression. The MVD decreased with higher grades, in contrast to the prevalent literature. The correlation analysis between MVD and MCD revealed no significant correlation between them.

Conclusion: We found a non-significant role of mast cells in tumour biology and a decrease in vascularity with advancing grades. These results indicate a lower need for mast cell activation to augment vascularisation. A study with a larger sample size is needed to confirm our results.