Tongue Squamous Cell Carcinoma: RelationshipBetween Argyrophilic Nucleolar Organizer Regions(AgNORS) and Histopathologic Grading

ABSTRACT

Current available data from the literature have suggestedcorrelation among histopathological differentiation(tumor grade), treatment, and prognosis in oralmalignant tumors. Cell proliferation is an importantfactor in the prognosis of malignant neoplasia.Argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions (AgNORs)quantification is strongly associated to cell proliferation.OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to verify therelationship between total AgNORs mean value(mAgNOR) and/or the percentage of cells with 1, 2, 3, 4or more AgNORs (pAgNOR) with histopathologicgrading of tongue squamous cell carcinoma accordingto Wahi. RESULTS: AgNOR mean value/nucleus has rangedaccording to the histopathologic grading; the mean valuehas increased as the histopathologic grading increased.A negative correlation among pAgNOR series (1,2,3,4or more) was obtained between grade I and grade IIIlesions, whereas grade II lesions have shownintermediate values of correlation. CONCLUSION: Adirect relationship between AgNORs/nucleus mean,percentage of AgNORs/nucleus and malignancy gradingwas observed. correlation between tumor histopathologicaldifferentiation, their treatment and prognosis.Wahi,2 in a World Health Organization (WHO)report, has commented that oral primary carcinomasprognosis should be established alwaystaking into consideration the histologicalgrading, tumor site and their clinical features