• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.16 no.4
• /
• pp.1599-1603
• /
• 2015

Background: Epigenetic silencing of tumor suppressor genes due to promoter hypermethylation is one of the frequent mechanisms observed in cancers. Hypermethylation of several tumor suppressor genes involved in cell cycle regulation has been reported in many types of tumors including oral squamous cell carcinomas. LATS1 (Large Tumor Suppressor, isoform 1) is a novel tumor suppressor gene that regulates cell cycle progression by forming complexes with the cyclin dependent kinase, CDK1. Promoter hypermethylation of the LATS1 gene has been observed in several carcinomas and also has been linked with prognosis. However, the methylation status of LATS1 in oral squamous cell carcinomas is not known. As oral cancer is one of the most prevalent forms of cancer in India, the present study was designed to investigate the methylation status of LATS1 promoter and associate it with histopathological findings in order to determine any associations of the genetic status with stage of differentiation. Materials and Methods: Tumor chromosomal DNA isolated from biopsy tissues of thirteen oral squamous cell carcinoma biopsy tissues were subjected to digestion with methylation sensitive HpaII enzyme followed by amplification with primers flanking CCGG motifs in promoter region of LATS1 gene. The PCR amplicons were subsequently subjected to agarose gel electrophoresis along with undigested amplification control. Results: HpaII enzyme based methylation sensitive PCR identified LATS1 promoter hypermethylation in seven out of thirteen oral squamous cell carcinoma samples. Conclusions: The identification of LATS1 promoter hypermethylation in seven oral squamous cell carcinoma samples (54%), which included one sample with epithelial dysplasia, two early invasive and one moderately differentiated lesions indicates that the hypermethylation of this gene may be one of the early event during carcinogenesis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to have explored and identified positive association between LATS1 promoter hypermethylation with histopathological features in oral squamous cell carcinomas.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
• /
• v.29 no.2
• /
• pp.98-102
• /
• 2018

Background and Objectives : Detection of vascular abnormalities in vocal cord (VC) leukoplakia is important for the diagnosis of neoplastic change of the mucosa. The aim of this study was to investigate the value of i-scan in the differential diagnosis of VC leukoplakia based on visualization of abnormal vascular features. Material and Methods : Fifty-two patients with leukoplakia were enrolled in the study. Images of their larynx obtained using conventional white light endoscopy and an i-scan-enhanced endoscopy (Pentax DEFINA EPK-3000 Video Processors, with Pentax VNLJ10) were reviewed. The microvascular features of the lesions and vascular changes were analyzed and the results were compared with the histopathologic diagnosis. Results : Among the 52 leukoplakia patients, 7 (13.5%) patients had squamous hyperplasia, 10 (19.3%) mild dysplasia, 2 (3.8%) moderate dysplasia, 14 (26.9%) severe dysplasia, 4 (7.7%) carcinoma in situ, and 15 (28.8%) invasive squamous cell carcinoma on histopathologic examination. Using i-scan-enhanced endoscopy, abnormal vascular change with neoplastic neoangiogenesis was detected in most cases of malignant VC lesion [severe dysplasia : 9/14 (64.3%), carcinoma in situ: 2/4 (50.0%), and invasive squamous cell carcinoma : 11/15 (73.4%)]. Conclusion : i-scan-enhanced endoscopy is a useful optical technique for the diagnosis of VC leukoplakia. Our results suggest that i-scan may be a promising diagnostic tool in the early detection of laryngeal cancer.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
• /
• v.28 no.2
• /
• pp.155-160
• /
• 2002

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), the most common head and neck cancer, shows poor prognosis as a result of frequent local invasion and lymph node metastasis that is mediated by multiple proteolytic enzymes and angiogenesis. In recent reports, angiogenesis is known to play an important role in tumor invasion and metastasis. The purpose of this study was to determine the role of angiogenesis in OSCCs, particularly with respect to the invasive and the metastatic potential. The microvessel density (CD31) in 34 human OSCC cases were investigated by immunohistochemistry, and reviewed with respect to the invasiveness and the presence of lymph node metastasis and following results were obtained. The blood vessel density $(28.8{\pm}7.9)$ in the strong invasive cases were significantly higher than those $(23.3{\pm}6.9)$ in the weak invasive cases. (p<0.05) In the 14 cases with lymph node metastasis, the average blood vessel density was $28.5{\pm}9.6$. On the other hand, in the 20 cases without lymph node metastasis, the blood vessel density was $25.2{\pm}6.4$. The blood vessel density was not statistically related to lymph node metastasis. (p>0.05) These results suggest that angiogenesis may be related to the local invasion of OSCC and further research will be needed to investigate the possibility that antiangiogenic agent can be used as an anticancer agent for OSCC.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.17 no.3
• /
• pp.1243-1249
• /
• 2016

Background: Expression of p53, cyclin D1, p21 (WAF1) and Ki-67 (MIB1) was evaluated in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) to test whether levels of these markers at invasive tumour fronts (ITFs) could predict the development of local recurrence. Materials and Methods: Archived paraffin-embedded specimens from 51 patients with T1/T2 tumours were stained immunohistochemically and analysed quantitatively. Local recurrence-free survival was tested with Kaplan-Meier survival plots (log-rank test) using median values to define low and high expression groups and with a Cox's proportional hazards model in which the expression scores were entered as continuous variables. Results: The assessment of expression of all markers was highly reliable, univariate analysis showing that patients with clear surgical margins, with low cyclin D1 and high p21 expression at the ITF had the best local recurrence-free survival. Multivariate analysis showed that these three parameters were independent prognostic factors but that neither p53 nor MIB1 expression were of prognostic value. Conclusions: Assessment of p53, cyclin D1, p21 (WAF1), and Ki-67 (MIB1) at the ITF could help to predict local recurrence in early stage oral squamous cell carcinoma cases.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Pathology
• /
• v.5 no.1
• /
• pp.1-4
• /
• 2001

Squamous cell carcinoma was diagnosed in a 4.5-year-old male African hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris). The patient was referred to Seoul National University, Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital after 5 days history of left eye exophthalmos and corneal trauma. He had enlarged upper and lower jaw at the left part of the face and endophthalmitis of the left eye. On radiographic examinations, loss of bone density at the left zygomatic arch and sun-burst type periosteal reaction of left mandible with decreased bone density was noted. Histologically, the neoplastic mass consisted of markedly invasive, cords of nests of squamous epithelial cells. Intercellular bridges and keratin pearl formation were also noted.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.17 no.1
• /
• pp.189-195
• /
• 2016

Oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC) is the most common oral cancer subtype with a maximum propensity for regional spread. Our objective was to study if p53 expression might have any correlation with aggressive patterns of invasion within oral tongue cancers as well as with the histologically identified degree of oral tongue dysplasia. p53 immunoexpression was studied using immunohistochemistry in early staged OTSCCs (n=155), oral tongue dysplasias, (n=29) and oral tongue normal specimens (n=10) and evaluated for correlations with histological and clinicopathological parameters. Our study (n=194) showed a pattern of p53 expression increasing with different grades of tongue dysplasia to different grades of invasive OTSCC (p=0.000). Among the OTSCC tumours, positive p53 expression was seen in 43.2% (67/155) and a higher p53 labelling index was significantly associated with increased Bryne's grade of the tumour invasive front (p=0.039) and increased tumour depth (p=0.018). Among the OTSCC patients with tobacco habits, (n=91), a higher p53 labelling index was significantly associated with increased risk of local recurrence (p=0.025) and with lymphovascular space involvement (p=0.014). Evaluation of p53 through varying degrees of dysplasia to oral tongue cancer indicates that p53 expression is linked to aggressive features of oral tongue cancers and tongue precancers entailing a closer monitoring in positive cases. Among the OTSCCs, p53 expression is associated with tumour aggressiveness correlating with increased grading of invasive tumour front and tumour depth.

• The Korean Journal of Cytopathology
• /
• v.15 no.1
• /
• pp.56-59
• /
• 2004

Development of an invasive squamous cell carcinoma within a branchial cleft cyst (branchiogenic carcinoma) is very rare and this case is the first description of cytologic findings in Korea. A 62-year-old man presented with a 5-month history of an enlarged right neck mass. Fine needle aspiration cytology of the mass showed low cellularity and the background containing proteinaceous debris, inflammatory cells, and histiocytes suggested a cystic nature. Abundant lymphocytes, a few anucleated squames, and rare atypical squamous cells with pyknotic nuclei and abnormal keratinization were also noted. After excision of the mass, histologic findings were consistent with a branchiogenic carcinoma. We recommend to raise the possibility of carcinoma (primary or metastatic) when we observe a few dyskeratotic cells in a cystic mass within the neck area, especially in an old male.

• Proceedings of the KOR-BRONCHOESO Conference
• /
• 1993.05a
• /
• pp.88-88
• /
• 1993

Immunohistochemical staining for keratin proteins may be useful as a diagnostic parameter in head and neck neoplasm. Our study evaluates the keratin antibody staining properties of normal tissues and squamous cell carcinoma of the vocal folds from surgical procedures performed on 27 cases. In normal epithelia, low molecular weight cytokeratins were strongly positive in basal layer but apparently reduced in suprabasal layers and completely negative in superficial layer. In invasive squamous cell carcinomas, low molecular weight anti-ck Ab were positive in all carcinoma cells of poorly differentiated carcinomas. On the other hand, high molecular weight anti-ck Ab were positive in almost carcinoma cells of well differentiated carcinomas.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.16 no.18
• /
• pp.8145-8147
• /
• 2016

Background: Atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) feature a wide variety of cervical cells, including benign and malignant examples. The management of ASCUS is complicated. Guidelines for office gynecology in Japan recommend performing a high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) test as a rule. The guidelines also recommend repeat cervical cytology after 6 and 12 months, or immediate colposcopy. The purpose of this study was to determine the clinical significance of ASCUS. Materials and Methods: Between January 2012 and December 2014, a total of 162 patients underwent cervical conization for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3 (CIN3), carcinoma in situ, squamous cell carcinoma, microinvasive squamous cell carcinoma, and adenocarcinoma in situ at our hospital. The results of cervical cytology prior to conization, the pathology after conization, and high-risk HPV testing were obtained from clinical records and analyzed retrospectively. Results: Based on cervical cytology, 31 (19.1%) of 162 patients were primarily diagnosed with ASCUS. Among these, 25 (80.6%) were positive for high-risk HPV, and the test results of the remaining 6 patients (19.4%) were uncertain. In the final pathological diagnosis after conization, 27 (87.1%) and 4 patients (12.9%) were diagnosed with CIN3 and carcinoma in situ, respectively. Conclusions: Although ASCUS is known as a low-risk abnormal cervical cytology, approximately 20% of patients who underwent cervical conization had ASCUS. The relationship between the cervical cytology of ASCUS and the final pathological results for CIN3 or invasive carcinoma should be investigated statistically. In cases of ASCUS, we recommend HPV tests or colposcopic examination rather than cytological follow-up, because of the risk of missing CIN3 or more advanced disease.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
• /
• v.34 no.2
• /
• pp.29-34
• /
• 2018

Background/Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic value of i-scan in the differential diagnosis of oral cavity leukoplakia based on visualization of abnormal vascular features. Materials & Methods: Thirty- one patients with oral cavity leukoplakia were enrolled in the study. Images of their oral cavity obtained using conventional white light endoscopy and an i-scan-enhanced endoscopy (Pentax DEFINA EPK-3000 Video Processors, with Pentax VNLJ10) were reviewed. The microvascular features of the lesions and vascular changes were analyzed and the results were compared with the histopathologic diagnosis. Results: Among the 31 oral cavity leukoplakia patients, 8 (25.8%) patients revealed hyperkeratosis, 10 (31.2%) low-grade dysplasia, 5 (16.2%) high-grade dysplasia and 8 (25.8%) invasive squamous cell carcinoma on histopathologic examination. Using i-scan-enhanced endoscopy, we could found abnormal vascular change with neoplastic neoangiogenesis in most high-grade dysplasia or invasive cancer in oral cavity. (high-grade dysplasia: 4/5 [80.0%], and invasive squamous cell carcinoma: 7/8 [87.5%]). Conclusion: i-scan-enhanced endoscopy could be a useful optical technique for the diagnosis of oral cavity leukoplakia. Our results suggest that i-scan may be a promising diagnostic tool in the early detection of suspected oral mucosal lesion.