Minichromosome maintenance protein 5 - a promising prognostic marker of oral epithelial dysplasias and oral squamous cell carcinomas.

Background: Early diagnosis is the single most effective means of reducing the mortality rate of oral cancer.

Aim: This study was undertaken to assess the expression of minichromosome maintenance protein 5 (MCM5) in oral epithelial dysplasias and oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs) and to evaluate their possible role as a biomarker for early diagnosis and prognosis of OSCC.

Design: A retrospective cross-sectional study.

Tumour Microenvironment as a Potential Immune Therapeutic Target for Tongue Cancer Management.

Immunotherapy is a promising approach in the management of human cancers and has been proven to provide a durable response in many cancers. It is helpful as an adjuvant therapy for cancers and at present is considered as a fourth pillar supporting surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. In the treatment of oral cancer, immunotherapy is approved in late-stage diseases where surgical resection cannot be carried out or fails, leading to recurrences and metastasis.

Premetastatic Niche: A Novel Area for Research in Metastasis with a Potential as Therapeutic Targeting in Oral Cancer.

Premetastatic niche (PMN) concept, introduced by David Lyden and colleagues, is an area that can support cancer cells to nurture in it, but the area itself being bereft of cancerous cells. It provides a microenvironment that is congenial for tumor invasion, endurance, and or proliferation of malignant cells to develop into metastasis. These are noncancerous variations in a tumor-free organ and are the most primitive indications of metastasis.

Primordial odontogenic tumour: Report of a novel entity - The third case from India.

Primordial odontogenic tumour (POT) is a newly described benign mixed odontogenic neoplasm that has been included in the World Health Organization classification 2017. Only 19 cases that conform to the clinico-pathologic criteria for diagnosis have been reported worldwide. We present the 20 case of POT reported worldwide and is only the third case to be reported from India.

Immunohistochemical analysis of cathepsin-D in benign and malignant salivary gland neoplasms. Evaluation of its role as a prognostic indicator.

Background: Salivary gland tumors are histologically the most heterogeneous group of tumors. Traditional diagnostics and grading of these tumors often fail to provide any insight into patient's clinical course. Cathepsin-D is a lysosomal acid protease secreted in increased levels in several malignancies.

Spindle cell haemangioma - Report of a rare entity.

Spindle cell haemangioma is a rare benign vascular neoplasm. Its occurrence in the oral cavity is uncommon and may be mistaken for other common oral lesions such as mucoceles or fibromas. Microscopically, it has features which are similar to those of other vascular neoplasms and may be a cause for potential mis-diagnosis.

A Rare Case of Intra-Oral Dirofilariasis Manifesting on The Buccal Mucosa.

Dirofilariasis is a rare zoonotic disease endemic in tropical and sub-tropic countries, including India. Caused by the nematode of the genus Dirofilaria, the disease usually affects canines which form the primary hosts. Humans rarely get infected through the bite of potential mosquito vectors.

Nonspecific Cystic Degeneration in Craniofacial Fibrous Dysplasia: A Rare Finding.

Fibrous dysplasia (FD) is a developmental pathology of the bones in which normal bone is replaced by fibrous tissue and immature bone. It can affect single bone (monostotic) or multiple bones (polyostotic), sporadically or in association with McCune-Albright syndrome, Jaffe-Lichtenstein syndrome, or Mazabraud syndrome. When multiple bones in the craniofacial region are affected, the term "craniofacial FD" is used.

Histopathologic evaluation of oral lichen planus and oral lichenoid reaction: A comparative analysis based on basement membrane thickness and the distribution of mast cells.

Background: Lichen planus is a chronic mucocutaneous disease of unknown etiology with well-established clinical and microscopic features. Oral lichenoid reactions are a family of lesions triggered by contact with specific agents such as metallic restorative materials, resins and drugs. Oral lichenoid reactions share clinical and histological features of oral lichen planus (OLP) but has varied management options.

Congenital granular cell epulis: a rare paediatric tumour of newborn.

Congenital granular cell epulis is a congenital growth rarely found on the gingiva of neonates. These remarkably large tumours present in an infant's mouth may impede with feeding, respiration or adequate mouth closure. Recognition of this entity and prompt treatment are essential for preventing any difficulties for the neonate.

Canalicular adenoma: palatal presentation of an uncommon lesion.

Canalicular adenoma is a unique, rare, benign salivary gland neoplasm whose reported prevalence varies in different studies. According to literature, this neoplasm has a marked predilection to occur in the upper lip of elderly women. Histological features are usually distinctive and diagnostic.

Prevalence of odontogenic cysts and its associated factors in South Indian population.

Background: Odontogenic cysts (OCs) constitute a major part of oral pathological lesions, but little is known about their distribution patterns in various populations.

Aims: The aim was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with the cases of histopathologically diagnosed OCs that report to our institution and to analyze the factors associated with the presence of OCs and to study the biologic behavior of different types of cysts.

Materials And Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed on 596 oral and maxillofacial specimens during 2013-2017.

Expression of CK 19 as a biomarker in early detection of oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: Increased mortality in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) had been attributed to delay in diagnosis. Lack of a specific marker to assess the malignant potential of premalignant lesions is thought to be one of the reasons for late detection. Expression of Cytokeratin 19, which is widely used as an odontogenic epithelial marker had been reported in OSCC.

Oral myofibroma presenting as an aggressive gingival lesion.

Myofibromas are benign neoplasms of myofibroblastic origin and rarely encountered in the oral cavity. Myofibroma may frequently grow rapidly leading to suspicion of malignancy. This may lead to a tendency for aggressive management.

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of retromolar area: an incidental finding.

Salivary gland tumours can arise in any location in the oral cavity but are rather rare in the retromolar region. The majority of the salivary neoplasms arising here are malignant in nature. Mucoepidermoid carcinoma is more commonly seen in the palate.

Carcinoma Cuniculatum of Mandible Masquerading as Odontogenic Keratocyst: Challenges in the Histopathological Diagnosis.

Carcinoma cuniculatum is a locally aggressive, low-grade variant of squamous cell carcinoma. Though primarily a tumour of the skin, it has also been found to be arising from various mucosal surfaces including oral mucosa. When it occurs in the mandible it starts as a mucosal lesion which progressively invades the jaw and destroys the underlying bone, often presenting as a cystic lesion.

Primary Intraosseous Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma with Widespread Skeletal Metastases Showing Features of High-Grade Transformation.

Malignant salivary gland carcinomas arising primarily within the jaw bones are extremely rare. The most common salivary malignancy in these locations is mucoepidermoid carcinoma followed by adenoid cystic carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. The clinical picture and imaging studies of these malignancies may be confused with odontogenic lesions which are more common in this location.

Unusual presentation of lipoma on the tongue.

Lipomas are benign soft tissue neoplasm which rarely occur in the oral cavity. Of the total reported cases of lipoma, only about 15% to 20% of cases have occurred in the head and neck region and the tongue is an even rarer site with only about 4% of the reported cases occurring in that region. They are slow growing and usually asymptomatic in nature.

An immunohistochemical evaluation of podoplanin expression in oral leukoplakia and oral squamous cell carcinoma to explore its potential to be used as a predictor for malignant transformation.

Background: Oral leukoplakia (OL) is a potentially malignant disorder with increased risk for the development of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Many cases of OSCC arise from the malignant transformation of preexisting OL. However, the risk of progression into OSCC and the possible prediction of malignant potential of OL remain inconclusive.

Extranodal diffuse large B cell lymphoma of maxillary sinus presenting as a palatal ulcer.

A multitude of disease processes ranging from periodontitis to malignancies can lead to formation of solitary ulcer on the palate. Hence solitary ulcers of palate can often be a challenging one to diagnose. We report an interesting case of a diffuse large B cell lymphoma of the maxillary sinus which perforated the palatal bone and presented clinically as a palatal ulcer.

Peripheral ameloblastoma with neoplastic osseous invasion versus peripheral intraosseous ameloblastoma: A challenging diagnosis.

Peripheral ameloblastoma, a soft-tissue analogue of intraosseous ameloblastoma, is a rare odontogenic tumor with histologic characteristics of ameloblastoma. In contrast to conventional ameloblastoma, peripheral ameloblastomas are considered as innocuous lesions which usually do not show invasion of the underlying structures. Rarely, intraosseous ameloblastoma which penetrates the alveolar bone can fuse with the overlying oral epithelium and eventually manifest as an exophytic peripheral lesion.

Metastatic adenocarcinoma of mandible: in search of the primary.

We present here a case of a 64-year-old female patient who reported with a complaint of pain in the chin region of 3-month duration. The radiographs revealed an irregular radiolucent lesion in the anterior part of the mandible. An incisional biopsy was carried out and the microscopy showed features of adenocarcinoma.

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the posterior-lateral border of tongue: a rare presentation.

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) is the most common malignant tumour of the major and minor salivary glands. Minor salivary glands are scattered in different areas of the oral cavity such as palate, retromolar area, floor of the mouth, buccal mucosa, lips and tongue, but so far, only a few lingual MEC cases have been documented in the literature and most of the studies have shown a predilection for base and dorsum of the tongue. We report a rare case of MEC involving the posterior-lateral border of the tongue.

Immunolocalization of osteopontin in dysplasias and squamous cell carcinomas arising from oral epithelium.

Background: Early detection of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains one of the most efficient ways to ensure patient survival and improved quality of life. Although specific biomarkers related to OSCC have been investigated, a useful biomarker that assesses the transition potential of potentially malignant lesion to OSCC remains to be found. Osteopontin (OPN) has been recognized as an important factor in tumorigenesis and their expression in OSCC have been investigated earlier.