RESUMEN
Introduction: In squamous cell carcinoma, cells invade the stroma in the form of islands, strands or sheets, which are surrounded by an extracellular matrix, thus producing reactive changes in the stroma. These reactive changes in the stroma may alter the biological behavior of oral cancer which convey some diagnostic and prognostic significance. Objective: This study was to compare staining intensity of various components of connective tissue such as collagen, elastin and glycoprotein among three histological grades of oral squamous cell carcinoma and normal oral mucosa. Materials and Methods: A total sample of 48 in which 36 cases of histologically diagnosed oral squamous cell carcinoma, 12 each of well, moderate and poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinomas and 12 sections of normal mucosa as the control group were selected for the present study. The sections of tissue blocks were stained with connective tissue specific stains such as Verhoeff’s -VanGieson stain and PAS for collagen, elastin and glycoprotein respectively. Results: Staining intensity of collagen, elastin and glycoprotein around tumor island among different grades of OSCC and normal mucosa revealed statistically significant changes (P value <0.001). Collagen and glycoprotein degradation and elastosis are more prominent in poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinomas. Conclusion: Observable changes were seen in the stroma, in all the three grades of OSCC’s compared to normal mucosa. There was an increased stromal response in poorly differentiated carcinomas, when compared to the other grades. Role of the stroma is like a double-edged sword, at times helping in tumor invasion and otherwise warding off the tumor cells.