Immunoexperssion of cancer stem cell marker (CD44) in ameloblastoma.

BACKGROUND: Ameloblastoma is the most frequently encountered benign, locally invasive tumor. Attempts to surgically resect the tumor often leave small islands of tumor, which later result in recurrence in 50%-90% of cases. This has raised questions regarding the tumor cell populations that are responsible for tumor growth and recurrence. In ameloblastoma, whether or not cancer stem-like cells are present remains undetermined. However, if cancer stem-like cells are present in ameloblastoma, it is important to identify which type of cell possesses the stem-like characteristics and is responsible for ameloblastoma progression and recurrence. AIM: Our study aims at analyzing immunohistochemical staining to detect the expression of cancer stem cell (CSC) marker CD44 in relation to proliferative activity of tumor cells in histopathologically diagnosed cases of ameloblastoma variants and to derive a correlation between the CD44 expression and biologic behavior of the lesion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study, was conducted on total 25 cases ameloblastoma and were immunostained for CD44 expression. Results obtained were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: A positive correlation was observed between staining intensity of CD44 marker and the known biological behavior of the lesion. Intense staining reaction was found to be only in 8% cases, whereas 76% cases demonstrated moderate intensity and remaining 16% displayed mild immunoreactivity to CD44 marker. Staining location was more to be in stellate reticulum-like (SR-like) cells when compared to ameloblast-like (AB-like) cells. Intense immunostaining was localized in the small tumor follicles, especially in SR-like cells situated in close vicinity of peripheral AB-like cells whereas mild intensity of staining was observed in keratinizing areas. CONCLUSION: CSCs marker positive expression in benign tumor like ameloblastoma may be responsible for its aggressiveness and recurrence. CD44 marker may be of great value in predicting the biological behavior and growth potential of ameloblastoma.

Classification of odontogenic cysts and tumors - Antecedents.

Pierre Paul Broca produced a monograph on tumor classification which also included the classification of odontogenic tumors (OTs). The terminology used to describe malignant epithelial OTs has varied since the World Health Organization published the initial consensus on the taxonomy of OTs. Minor changes were introduced in the second edition. It is only in the very recent years that additional knowledge has accumulated and refined the classification. This review emphasizes on reasons for modification by each author and the recent acceptance.

Myofibroma of the gingiva: a rare case report and literature review.

Myofibromas are benign uncommon fibroblastic tumors of the soft tissue, bone, or internal organs affecting all ages. These lesions histopathologically may mimic many other soft tissue tumors of the oral cavity such as spindle cell tumors of neurogenic and smooth muscle cell origin, thus leading to misdiagnosis and mistreatment. This case report describes a rare benign tumor, which presented as a soft tissue swelling on posterior gingiva. Surgical excision of the lesion was carried out under local anaesthesia. Histopathologic and immunohistochemical examination confirmed the diagnosis of myofibroma. Myofibroma should be included in the clinical differential diagnosis of masses of the oral soft tissues; however immunohistochemical examination is essential to establish an accurate diagnosis.

Hand schuller christian disease: a rare case report with oral manifestation.

Langerhan's Cell Histiocytosis (LCH) is disorders which include abnormalities that result from abnormal proliferation of langerhan's cells or their precursors. LCH is clinically classified into three types-eosinophilic granuloma, Hand Schuller Christian disease and Abt-Letterer- Siwe disease. It is usually manifested in childhood as well as in adulthood. The clinical manifestations are the result of the accumulation and infilteration of the langerhan cells in organs and tissues. Here is a rare case report of 6-year-old boy with extraoral manifestation of exopthalmic right eye and oral manifestation of mobility of teeth and with typical radiological findings. Basing on the clinical, radiological and histopathological examination the diagnosis of Hand Schuller Christian Disease was given.

A Non-Invasive Technique which Demonstrates the Iron in the Buccal Mucosa of Sickle Cell Anaemia and Thalassaemia Patients who Undergo Repeated Blood Transfusions.

BACKGROUND: Iron is vital for all the living organisms. However, excess iron is hazardous because it produces free radical formation. Therefore, the iron absorption is carefully regulated to maintain an equilibrium between the absorption and the body loss of iron. Considering the lack of specific excretory pathways for iron in humans, an iron overload in the tissues is frequently encountered. It can be precipitated by a variety of conditions such as increased iron absorption, as is seen in haemochromatosis or a frequent parenteral iron administration, as is seen in thalassaemia and sickle cell anaemia patients (a transfusional overload). OBJECTIVES: To demonstrate the iron overload at an early stage by oral exfoliative cytology in the oral mucosal cells of thalassaemia and sickle cell anaemia patients and to compare the presence of iron in the exfoliated oral epithelial cells with that of the serum ferritin levels in those patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study comprised of 40 ß- thalassaemia major and 20 sickle cell anaemia patients who were undergoing repeated blood transfusions of a minimum of 15/more, along with 60 clinically healthy individuals. Scrapings were obtained from the buccal mucosa and they were smeared onto glass slides. Then the slides were stained with a Perl's Prussian staining kit and they were examined under a light microscope. RESULTS: 72.5% of the thalassaemia patients and 35% of the sickle cell anaemia patients revealed a positivity for the Perl's Prussian blue reaction and none of the controls showed this positivity. It was also observed that as the serum ferritin levels increased, the iron overload in the oral mucosal cells of the thalassaemia patients also increased, which was not statistically significant, whereas it was statistically significant in case of the sickle cell anemia patients. CONCLUSION: Since the exfoliative cytology is a simple, painless, non-invasive and a quick procedure to perform, a lot of research should be carried out on the correlation of the Perl's Prussian blue reaction to the serum ferritin levels.