Expression of E-cadherin in primary oral squamous cell carcinoma and metastatic lymph nodes: an immunohistochemical study.

BACKGROUND: E-cadherin plays an important role in cell-to-cell adhesion and cell motility and its loss is associated with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) progression. The aim of this study was to determine the expression of E-cadherin in various grades of OSCC and to correlate changes in the expression between these various grades and metastatic lymph nodes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to detect E-cadherin expression in normal oral mucosa, primary OSCC (n = 37), and metastatic lymph nodes (n = 10). E-cadherin immunoreactivity was correlated with grades of differentiation and with clinicopathological features. RESULTS: E-cadherin immunoreactivity was found to inversely correlate with the loss of cell differentiation. The expression of E-cadherin decreased significantly in advanced cases of OSCC. However, increase in E-cadherin immunoreactivity was seen in early lesions, that is, in well differentiated (n = 9) and moderately differentiated OSCC (n = 13). Furthermore, E-cadherin was negative in majority of metastatic lymph nodes (7/10). CONCLUSIONS: Loss of the cell adhesion and E-cadherin plays an important role in progression of OSCC, that is, down regulation of its expression is associated with de-differentiation and metastasis.

Primary isolated gingival tuberculosis

Tuberculosis of the oral cavity is a rare event and when present is usually secondary to pulmonary tuberculosis. We present a case of a 33-year-old male patient who presented with symptoms of gingivitis. Local examination revealed multiple ulcers and a few nodules over the gingiva. A nodule biopsy was consistent with the diagnosis of gingival tuberculosis. The patient had no evidence of tuberculosis any where else in the body. Medical treatment was curative. As this condition is very rare, it is often over looked as it is never thought as a common clinical diagnosis. A biopsy is mandatory to establish diagnosis. The relevant literature is reviewed.

Amelogenesis imperfecta with gingival calcification: a rare presentation

The purpose of this article is to highlight the rare presence of gingival calcification with Amelogenesis Imperfecta. A case is presented of a 12-year-old girl with a defect of enamel in deciduous as well as permanent dentition with moderate amount of gingival hyperplasia with no positive family history of a similar condition. On the basis of history, clinical and radiographic features a diagnosis of autosomal recessive hypoplastic amelogenesis imperfecta of rough variant was made. Histopathological examination of hyperplastic gingival tissue revealed the presence of calcified bodies. An attempt is made to determine the nature of these calcified bodies by histochemical examination. The relevant literature is reviewed.