Assessing the potential role of neutrophil elastase as a prognostic indicator in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract

Abstract Past decade has seen the advent of several prognosticators for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Although TNM staging is still considered as the prognostic gold standard, it is not possible to obtain all the necessary information for a pathological TNM staging until excisional biopsy. Thus, it is necessary to identify features from the initial biopsy, which could aid in early prognostication. Aim To compare neutrophil elastase immuno-expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma patients with and without lymph node metastasis. Materials and Methods Archival specimens of 50 oral squamous cell carcinoma consisting of 25 cases with and 25 cases without lymph node metastasis were immuno-stained for neutrophil elastase. Results Statistically, a significant difference was noted in the neutrophil elastase staining between the 2 groups. 18 of the 25-oral squamous cell carcinoma cases with lymph node metastasis were positive and only 5 of the 25-oral squamous cell carcinoma cases without nodal involvement were positive. Conclusion Presence of neutrophil elastase in the lesional tissue is strongly associated with a lymph node involvement, and thus could serve as a prognostic factor for oral squamous cell carcinoma.