Evaluation of stromal mucin expression in oral submucous fibrosis and its progression to oral squamous cell carcinoma

Introduction

Oral potentially malignant conditions (OPMDs) are abnormalities in the oral mucosa linked to a higher chance of developing oral cancer. Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is a chronic condition causing tissue fibrosis, collagen deposition, and scar tissue production. The highest prevalence of OSMF is reported in Southeast Asian countries, with areca nut consumption being a significant factor.

Materials and methods

This retrospective study involved 20 histopathologically confirmed cases: 10 of oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) and 10 of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) arising in the background of OSMF. Alcian blue staining was used to evaluate stromal mucin expression. The Pearson Chi-Square test assessed the relationship between mucin expression and disease progression.

Results

A progressive increase in mucin expression was observed in OSMF-OSCC cases compared to OSMF. Alcian Blue staining revealed 35 % no expression and 15 % low expression in OSMF, while 35 % had low expression and 15 % had moderate expression in OSMF-OSCC cases. The chi-square test yielded a value of 13.3 (df = 2), with a corrected p-value of 0.003, indicating statistical significance.

Conclusion

Alcian Blue staining suggests a trend of increasing mucin expression during malignant transformation. While not a definitive malignancy marker, it may serve as a useful adjunct in histopathological grading. Further studies with larger cohorts and standardized mucin quantification are recommended.