[p53 and Bcl-2 expression in oral verrucous carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma]

Statement of Problem: Verrucous carcinoma [VC] is a rare type of squamous cell carcinoma [SCC]. These two lesions have many biological and clinical differences and proper diagnosis of these tumors has a great influence on the patient's treatment

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the expression of p53 and Bcl-2 in VC, SCC and pseudoepitheliamatos hyperplasia [PEH]

Methods and Material: In this study, expressions of p53 and Bcl-2 markers in 20 samples of paraffin blocks of VC, 23 samples of SCC, and 22 samples of PEH were examined by immunohistochemistry method. Immunoreactiv-ity was diagnosed for p53 in the nucleus and for Bcl-2 in the cytoplasm of cells. Then, the mean percentage of the expression of p53 and Bcl-2 was compared. The collected data were analyzed, using SPSS Ver. 7.5. For statistical analysis, ANOVA and Tukey tests were used for Bcl-2, and Kruskal-Wallis was used for comparison of the markers

Result: There was a significant difference in the mean of Bcl-2 expression between the lesions which the VC was significantly lower than the others.There was also a significant difference in the mean of p53 expression between the lesions

Conclusion: p53 and Bcl-2 are two immunohistochemical markers which can be helpful in differential diagnosis of VC and SCC

[ rare case of primary orbital yolk sac tumour [YST]]

The endodermal sinus tumor [EST] or yolk sac tumor [YST] is a malignant germ cell neoplasm that usually arises in gonads, but on rare occasion occurs in extragonadal sites such as mediastinum, retoperitoneum and intra cranium. Orbit is an extremely rare location for this tumor. In this report a primary yolk sac tumor in the orbit of a 17 months old child is presented. Patient had a rapidly progressive proptosis and high level of serum alpha fetoprotein [12500 IU/ml]. After surgical biopsy and histopathological diagnosis, the patient treated with 4 courses of a 3 drugs chemotherapeutic regimen. A period of 6 months follow up did not reveal any sign of recurrence. Although yolk sac tumor is very rare in orbit, a rapid and correct histopathological diagnosis in conjuction with immunohistochemical and other paraclinical evaluation and at last, effective chemotherapeutic regimens can provide a good prognosis and even cure for the patient