MCM3 proliferative index is worthier over Ki-67 in the characterization of salivary gland tumors.

BACKGROUND: Salivary gland tumors bear uncanny characteristics of being different based on their morphological aspects rather than the presence of clear demarcation. This ambiguity in the spectrum from benign to malignant salivary gland neoplasms while categorizing the neoplasm is having inherent pitfalls. The present study was, therefore, designed to characterize benign and malignant salivary gland tumors based on their proliferative indices. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Study samples comprised of 97 cases of histopathologically confirmed benign and malignant salivary gland tumors. The cases were immunohistochemically assessed for MCM3 and Ki-67 expressions and the molecular characterization was performed based on the findings. RESULTS: The majority of benign and malignant salivary gland tumors were from the parotid gland, (51.2%) and (42.4%), respectively. Overall mean labeling index of MCM3 was higher i.e., (5.60 ± 3.99) in comparison to Ki-67 i.e., (2.82 ± 3.14) with P = 0.05 using paired t-test. Besides, malignant salivary gland neoplasms represented a higher mean score of MCM3 and Ki-67 than benign neoplasms. CONCLUSION: The requirement of a novel marker has led to the use of MCM3 which has a characteristic role in the entire spectrum of the cell cycle. The present study highlighted the extrapolation of MCM3 over Ki-67 for diagnosis and for true characterization of biologic behavior of salivary gland pathologies which may, in turn, influence the treatment modality employed for such lesions.

Traumatic ulcerative granuloma with stromal eosinophilia.

Oral ulcers constitute one of the most common chief complaints of patients attending any dental practice. The cause of oral mucosal ulceration is generally attributed to acute or chronic trauma from local factors. However, oral lesions may be the initial manifestation of many systemic conditions. Moreover, a group of oral ulcerative lesions have been reported to exhibit vast numbers of eosinophils and known as Traumatic Ulcerative Granuloma with Stromal Eosinophilia (TUGSE). We present two cases of oral ulcers which on microscopic examination exhibited numerous eosinophils from ulcerated epithelium to deep into the submucosa and an exuberant lymphoid proliferation. CD15 immunohistochemical marker was used in these cases to ease the identification of the eosinophils. We also highlight the differential diagnosis of TUGSE that may manifest as oral lesions, as an important diagnostic guide for clinicians in contemporary practice.