Neural adhesion molecule (N-CAM) in pleomorphic adenoma and carcinoma ex-pleomorphic adenoma.

BACKGROUND: The neural cell adhesion molecule (N-CAM) has been implicated in the behaviour of the adenoid cystic carcinoma. In vitro, it was demonstrated that N-CAM inhibits cell invasion. The aim of this study was to search for N-CAM in the most common salivary gland tumour that has a malignant counterpart. METHODS: We investigated the presence of N-CAM in pleomorphic adenoma and its malignant counterpart, the carcinoma ex-pleomorphic adenoma, using the immunohistochemistry technique. RESULTS: Neural cell adhesion molecule was expressed in all cases of pleomorphic adenoma, strongly labelling the luminal cells of the double-layered ductform structures. This expression was weaker in neoplastic myoepithelial cells and progressively diminished at a distance from the luminal cells. In carcinoma, ex-pleomorphic adenoma N-CAM was either totally absent or faintly present at the apical pole of the few luminal cells. CONCLUSIONS: As a result of the peculiar distribution of N-CAM in pleomorphic adenoma, we speculated that N-CAM behaves as a tumour-suppressor molecule, which is expressed in the benign neoplasm and which is down-regulated after malignancy, when the tumour assumes an invasive behaviour.

[Dilantin gingival hyperplasia: patient evaluation in relation to anticonvulsant dosage, degree of oral hygiene and extension of lesion]. / Hiperplasia gengival dilantínica: avaliação do paciente com relação à dosagem de anticonvulsivante, grau de higiene bucal e extensão da lesão.

The authors examined 42 exceptional children interned in an especialized school viewing to determine the degree of gingival hyperplasia and it relation to the degree of oral hygiene, the lesion extension and the drug taken. All children were examined without verifying if they were taking any type of medicine. In the comparison of clinical exames of children taking anticonvulsants, the conclusion was that the gingival hyperplasia was present in 46.8% of the cases, as well as the extension of it being larger when the drug had been administrated for a long period and/or when oral hygiene was inadequate.