RESUMEN
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the expression of livin at the invasive tumor front of oral squamous cell carcinoma.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty-eight samples of oral squamous cell carcinoma were graded according to invasive front gading (IFG). The expression of livin was evaluated at the ITF and other parts of the same tumor using immunohistochemistry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Significant difference in the pathological grades was found between the ITF and the other parts of oral squamous cell carcinoma (P<0.01). The expression of livin at the ITF was significantly stronger than that in the other regions (P<0.01). A significant positive correlation was noted between livin expression and the TFG score (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Inhibition of cell apoptosis is more obvious at the ITF of oral squamous cell carcinoma than in the other regions. Livin overexpression at the ITF may indicate greater malignancy and higher likeliness of tumor recurrence and metastasis.</p>