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PP - PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF ORAL MANIFESTATIONS OF RADIOTHERAPY IN HEAD AND NECK REGION: CLINICAL CASES
ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL PATHOLOGY e76 Abstracts complex in a 58-year-old male, with an atypical clinical manifestation in which a digital palpation revealed a hard fusiform swelling, moving, well-defined, and approximately 30 mm in length, on the floor of the mouth next to the left edentulous alveolar ridge. Panoramic radiography and cone beam computer tomography revealed a thick ossified stylohyoid complex with the end close to the angle of the mandible. Although the patient denied any symptoms, the stylohyoid complex was removed by intraoral surgical procedure because the patient needed to have a dental prosthesis.
PP - DIFFERENTIAL EXPRESSION OF HSA-MIR-21 SUGGESTS FIELD EFFECT IN ORAL CANCER. CAMILE DE BARROS LOPES, CAROLINA RODRIGUES TEÓFILO, RAQUEL CARVALHO MONTENEGRO, ANA PAULA NEGREIROS NUNES ALVES, MASSIMO NEGRINI, ÂNDREA KELY CAMPOS RIBEIRO DOS SANTOS. FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF PARA/FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF CEARA. Cancerization describes formation of genetically and epigenetically altered area, with histologically normal area around the primary tumor. These genetic and epigenetic changes could contribute to altered epithelial homeostasis characterized by increased cell proliferation, and could predispose to the development of cancer in morphologically normal tissue adjacent to tumor. We compared the differential expression profile of hsamiR-21 in 14 samples of oral cancer tissues, 7 samples adjacent to cancer and 8 samples of gingival of patients without cancer. For analysis purposes, we used qRT-PCR normalized to RNU6b. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA (p<0.05). We found lower expressions of hsa-miR21 in normal tissues compared to tissues with cancer (p¼0.001) and tissues adjacent to cancer (p¼0.003). When compared the expression levels between oral cancer tissue and around the cancer tissue, we observed that there was no statistically significant difference. Our results demonstrate that hsa-miR-21 is upregulated in oral cancer tissues and adjacent to cancer tissues when compared to tissues of patients without oral cancer. Therefore, this modified expression profile of hsa-miR-21 does not consider the adjacent region to oral cancer as a normal tissue. Our data point to the hsa-miR-21 corroborating the hypothesis of the area effect.
PP - CONSERVATIVE MANAGEMENT OF A LARGE KCOT: REPORT OF ONE CASE WITH A LONG-TERM FOLLOW UP. RAFAEL NETTO, MARIA ELISA RANGEL JANINI, VALDIR MEIRELLES, JÚNIOR, PEDRO HENRIQUE MATTOS DE CARVALHO, MÁRCIA GRILLO CABRAL, VITOR MARCELLO DE ANDRADE, THAIS GOMES AMARAL. UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DO RIO DE JANEIRO. A keratocystic odontogenic tumor (KCOT) is a benign unior multicystic, intraosseous tumor of odontogenic origin, with a characteristic lining of parakeratinized stratified squamous epithelium and potential aggressive, infiltrative behavior. We report the case of a large osteolytic lesion extending from the mandibular right second molar up to the mandibular ramus, which was pushing the third molar back and upward, in a 17-year-old girl. An incisional biopsy confirmed KOTC. Initially, marsupialization was performed to allow lesion decompression. Three months later surgery was performed, after determining that the lesion size had decreased and the third molar was back to its original position. The tooth was extracted using enucleation
OOOO February 2017 combined with peripheral ostectomy. One year later, the patient was healing well, except for a radiolucent area near the second molar. An additional surgery was performed similar to before, but associated with second-molar removal. In the seven years since the surgeries, the patient has shown no clinical or radiological signs of recurrence.
PP - ORAL SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA: ANATOMICAL LOCATION VERSUS IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL EXPRESSION OF KI-67, HER-3, MMP-2, AND MMP-9. VICTOR BERNARDES COSTA, ADRIANA DA MOTA DELGADO, YASMIN RODARTE CARVALHO, JANETE DIAS ALMEIDA, ESTELA KAMINAGAKURA, ANA LIA ANBINDER, ANA SUELI RODRIGUES CAVALCANTE. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE OF THE “JULIO DE MESQUITA FILHO” SÃO PAULO STATE UNIVERSITY - SÃO JOSÉ DOS CAMPOS. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) commonly occurs in oral cavity, with the lower lip and tongue being common sites of involvement. This research aimed to elucidate the reason why lip SCC (LSCC) is considered to have a better prognosis compared with tongue SCC (TSCC). The following immunohistochemical markers were used: Ki-67, which is involved in cell proliferation; HER-3, receptor of the tyrosine kinase family that controls angiogenesis and extracellular invasion of the head and neck region and is considered a predictive factor for neoplastic behavior; MMP-2 and MMP-9, which are proteins responsible for the degrading components of the extracellular matrix and basement membranes. In total, 30 cases of LSCC, 29 cases of TSCC, and 18 controls (C) were included. Ki-67 was quantified in a total of 900 cells per case, while HER-3, MMP-2, and MMP-9 were quantified according to the percentage of positively stained cells. The collected data were subjected to statistical analysis (alpha¼5%). The results revealed no significant differences in the expression of HER-3, MMP-2, and MMP-9 between LSCC and TSCC. Cell proliferation was higher in LSCC than in TSCC, despite the former being considered to exhibit a better prognosis. Further studies are necessary to clarify this issue.
PP - PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF ORAL MANIFESTATIONS OF RADIOTHERAPY IN HEAD AND NECK REGION: CLINICAL CASES. LETICIA PACHECO PORANGABA, ELIANE QUEIROZ DOS ANJOS. UNIVERSIDADE METODISTA DE SAO PAULO (UMESP). The oral cancer is among the ten most frequent in the world, with more than 90% of oral tumors are squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) while 9% are represented by the carcinomas of salivary glands and not originally epithelial as sarcomas and lymphomas and the remaining 1% or less are represented by metastatic tumors in other regions of the body. Its treatment in most cases consist of surgical safety margin with cancer in combination with radiation therapy , which can be neoadjuvant or adjuvant. With respect to radiotherapy in head and neck region, it’s usually done in neck and face parallel opposed fields , with high voltage devices (such as cobalt bomb and the linear accelerator) at doses raging 50008000cGy. Radiotherapy in tumoricidal doses causes reversible and irreversible side effects in all affected structures skin (radiodermatitis), muscle (fibrosis and trismus), mucosa( mucositis), bones (chance in repair capacity), salivary glands ( xerostomia
OOOO Volume 123, Number 2 and qualitative changes saliva) and teeth (radiation decay). Given the importance of these changes in the quality of life of cancer in patients, and a positive impact on it when there is the participation of a dental surgeon in a multidisciplinary context, the proposal of the authors is to present a literature revision illustrated with clinical cases, with emphasis in preventing and controlling dental practice.
PP - A CASE REPORT ON CEMENTOBLASTOMA: A RARE ODONTOGENIC TUMOR. PEDRO HENRIQUE MATTOS DE CARVALHO, MARIA ELISA RANGEL JANINI, VALDIR MEIRELLES, JÚNIOR, RAFAEL NETTO, ALINE CORRÊA ABRAHÃO, THAIS GOMES AMARAL, RAFAEL FRÓES. UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DO RIO DE JANEIRO. Cementoblastoma is a relatively rare benign neoplasm of the cementum, derived from the ectomesenchyme of odontogenic origin and represents less than 1% of all odontogenic tumors. Cementoblastomas generally involve the permanent mandibular molars or premolars. It grows slowly, tends to expand the overlying cortical plates, and is usually asymptomatic. This benign tumor affects the buccal and lingual aspects of the alveolar ridges. As a cementoblastoma is a benign neoplasm, it grossly forms a mass of cementum-like tissue as an irregular or round mass attached to the roots of a tooth, usually the permanent mandibular first molar. Radiographically, it appears as a well-defined, markedly radiopaque mass with a radiolucent peripheral line, which overlies and obliterates the tooth root. We report herein, a 38-year-old woman who presented with a slight swelling within the buccal aspect of the mandible, near the left first molar. The panoramic and periapical radiographs revealed a sclerotic mass surrounding the root of the affected tooth, clearly attached to it. The entire tooth with both cortices was surgically removed. Histopathological examination confirmed the hypothesis of cementoblastoma. The patient has since shown no clinical or radiological signs of recurrence.
PP - MAMMARY ANALOGUE SECRETORY CARCINOMA: TWO CASES WITH HISTOPATHOLOGICAL APPROACH. PRISCILA TOBOUTI, BRUNO SEDASSARI, NELISE LASCANE, MARIA ISETE FRANCO, SUZANA SOUSA. SCHOOL OF DENTISTRY - UNIVERSITY OF SÃO PAULO. Mammary analogue secretory carcinoma (MASC) is a rare salivary gland neoplasm displaying ETV6 gene translocation. Microscopically, this tumor shares morphological features mainly with acinic cell carcinoma and mucoepidermoid carcinoma. We present two study cases of MASC with emphasis on the morphological aspects for the diagnosis: a 33-year-old woman and a 55-year-old man. Both neoplasms were located in the parotid salivary gland and were clinically characterized by asymptomatic swelling. Histologically, the tumors were circumscribed but not encapsulated, composed of low-grade eosinophilic cells arranged in ductform, microcystic, macrocystic and follicular structures associated with secreted material, with bubbly aspect. In one case, signet ring cells and perineural invasion were observed. The final diagnoses of MASC were established based in morphological and immunohistochemical findings. The patients are under close follow-up.
ABSTRACTS Abstracts e77 PP - THREE-YEAR FOLLOW-UP OF A KERATOCYSTIC ODONTOGENIC TUMOR TREATED BY MARSUPIALIZATION AND ENUCLEATION. EMANOELE PAIXÃO DA SILVA SILVA, INGRID DE ARAÚJO OLIVEIRA SOUZA, ALBERTO CONSOLARO, PAULO SÉRGIO DA SILVA SANTOS. FACULDADE DE ODONTOLOGIA DE BAURU, UNIVERSIDADE DE SÃO PAULO; HOSPITAL INFANTIL DR. JUVÊNCIO MATOS. A keratocystic odontogenic tumor (KCOT) is a benign intraosseous tumor of odontogenic origin with a characteristic lining of parakeratinized stratified squamous epithelium and is characterized by a potential for aggressive, infiltrative behavior. An 11-year-old boy complained of delayed eruption of a lower second molar. Clinical examination revealed intra- and extraoral soft, painless swelling. The mandibular right second molar was impacted. The panoramic image showed a large radiolucency lesion extending from the mandibular posterior right body to the ascending ramus of the mandible. The unerupted mandibular right third molar was dislocated to the mandibular ramus. A computed tomography scan showed expansion of the buccal and lingual bone plate in the right mandibular body. After the incisional biopsy, we diagnosed KCOT. We performed to marsupialization of lesion for decompression and consequent lesion size reduction. After 1 year, we performed enucleation for complete KCOT removal and the extraction of the third mandibular molar. This treatment protocol was an effective and conservative approach for the management of the KCOT. After 3 years, we observed no signs of recurrence.
PP - VERSICAN EXPRESSION IN ORAL LEUKOPLAKIA, IN SITU CARCINOMA AND SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA: AN IMMUNOHISTOCHEMISTRY STUDY. PATRICIA ROCON BIANCHI MOLINI, SANDRA VENTORIN VON ZEIDLER, KARINE GADIOLI OLIVEIRA, FABRICIO PASSADOR-SANTOS, NEY SOARES ARAÚJO, VERA CAVALCANTI DE ARAÚJO, ANDRESA BORGES SOARES. UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DO ESPÍRITO SANTO/CENTRO DE PESQUISAS SÃO LEOPOLDO MANDIC. Versican is a large chondroitin sulphate proteoglycan component of the extracellular matrix. Its increased expression in several tumors implies that it is involved in the development and progression of cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate versican expression in oral leukoplakia without dysplasia (OL), carcinoma in situ (CIS) and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The analysis of versican expression was based on the percentage of positive staining stromal cells, on a scale of 0 to 3 (0 ¼ less than 10%, 1 ¼ 10-25%, 2 ¼ 25-50%, 3 ¼ more than 50% of cells). Increased versican expression was observed in CIS and OSCC, whilst reduced scores were seen in OL (OL: score 0¼ 23%, 1¼41%, 2¼30% and 3¼6% of cases; CIS: score 0¼ 0%, 1¼5%, 2¼11% and 3¼84% of cases; OSCC: score 0¼ 3%, 1¼20%, 2¼18% and 3¼58% of cases). Inflammatory cells were strongly stained in all groups, particularly CIS and OSCC. Some tumor cells were also positive. In conclusion, increased versican expression was seen in CIS and OSCC, which was most likely due to the greater number of inflammatory cells present in these groups.
PP - DIFFERENTIAL EXPRESSION OF HSA-MIR-21 SUGGESTS FIELD EFFECT IN ORAL CANCER. CAMILE DE BARROS LOPES, CAROLINA RODRIGUES TEÓFILO, RAQUEL CARVALHO MONTENEGRO, ANA PAULA NEGREIROS NUNES ALVES, MASSIMO NEGRINI, ÂNDREA KELY CAMPOS RIBEIRO DOS SANTOS. FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF PARA/FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF CEARA. Cancerization describes formation of genetically and epigenetically altered area, with histologically normal area around the primary tumor. These genetic and epigenetic changes could contribute to altered epithelial homeostasis characterized by increased cell proliferation, and could predispose to the development of cancer in morphologically normal tissue adjacent to tumor. We compared the differential expression profile of hsamiR-21 in 14 samples of oral cancer tissues, 7 samples adjacent to cancer and 8 samples of gingival of patients without cancer. For analysis purposes, we used qRT-PCR normalized to RNU6b. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA (p<0.05). We found lower expressions of hsa-miR21 in normal tissues compared to tissues with cancer (p¼0.001) and tissues adjacent to cancer (p¼0.003). When compared the expression levels between oral cancer tissue and around the cancer tissue, we observed that there was no statistically significant difference. Our results demonstrate that hsa-miR-21 is upregulated in oral cancer tissues and adjacent to cancer tissues when compared to tissues of patients without oral cancer. Therefore, this modified expression profile of hsa-miR-21 does not consider the adjacent region to oral cancer as a normal tissue. Our data point to the hsa-miR-21 corroborating the hypothesis of the area effect.
PP - CONSERVATIVE MANAGEMENT OF A LARGE KCOT: REPORT OF ONE CASE WITH A LONG-TERM FOLLOW UP. RAFAEL NETTO, MARIA ELISA RANGEL JANINI, VALDIR MEIRELLES, JÚNIOR, PEDRO HENRIQUE MATTOS DE CARVALHO, MÁRCIA GRILLO CABRAL, VITOR MARCELLO DE ANDRADE, THAIS GOMES AMARAL. UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DO RIO DE JANEIRO. A keratocystic odontogenic tumor (KCOT) is a benign unior multicystic, intraosseous tumor of odontogenic origin, with a characteristic lining of parakeratinized stratified squamous epithelium and potential aggressive, infiltrative behavior. We report the case of a large osteolytic lesion extending from the mandibular right second molar up to the mandibular ramus, which was pushing the third molar back and upward, in a 17-year-old girl. An incisional biopsy confirmed KOTC. Initially, marsupialization was performed to allow lesion decompression. Three months later surgery was performed, after determining that the lesion size had decreased and the third molar was back to its original position. The tooth was extracted using enucleation
OOOO February 2017 combined with peripheral ostectomy. One year later, the patient was healing well, except for a radiolucent area near the second molar. An additional surgery was performed similar to before, but associated with second-molar removal. In the seven years since the surgeries, the patient has shown no clinical or radiological signs of recurrence.
PP - ORAL SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA: ANATOMICAL LOCATION VERSUS IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL EXPRESSION OF KI-67, HER-3, MMP-2, AND MMP-9. VICTOR BERNARDES COSTA, ADRIANA DA MOTA DELGADO, YASMIN RODARTE CARVALHO, JANETE DIAS ALMEIDA, ESTELA KAMINAGAKURA, ANA LIA ANBINDER, ANA SUELI RODRIGUES CAVALCANTE. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE OF THE “JULIO DE MESQUITA FILHO” SÃO PAULO STATE UNIVERSITY - SÃO JOSÉ DOS CAMPOS. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) commonly occurs in oral cavity, with the lower lip and tongue being common sites of involvement. This research aimed to elucidate the reason why lip SCC (LSCC) is considered to have a better prognosis compared with tongue SCC (TSCC). The following immunohistochemical markers were used: Ki-67, which is involved in cell proliferation; HER-3, receptor of the tyrosine kinase family that controls angiogenesis and extracellular invasion of the head and neck region and is considered a predictive factor for neoplastic behavior; MMP-2 and MMP-9, which are proteins responsible for the degrading components of the extracellular matrix and basement membranes. In total, 30 cases of LSCC, 29 cases of TSCC, and 18 controls (C) were included. Ki-67 was quantified in a total of 900 cells per case, while HER-3, MMP-2, and MMP-9 were quantified according to the percentage of positively stained cells. The collected data were subjected to statistical analysis (alpha¼5%). The results revealed no significant differences in the expression of HER-3, MMP-2, and MMP-9 between LSCC and TSCC. Cell proliferation was higher in LSCC than in TSCC, despite the former being considered to exhibit a better prognosis. Further studies are necessary to clarify this issue.
PP - PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF ORAL MANIFESTATIONS OF RADIOTHERAPY IN HEAD AND NECK REGION: CLINICAL CASES. LETICIA PACHECO PORANGABA, ELIANE QUEIROZ DOS ANJOS. UNIVERSIDADE METODISTA DE SAO PAULO (UMESP). The oral cancer is among the ten most frequent in the world, with more than 90% of oral tumors are squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) while 9% are represented by the carcinomas of salivary glands and not originally epithelial as sarcomas and lymphomas and the remaining 1% or less are represented by metastatic tumors in other regions of the body. Its treatment in most cases consist of surgical safety margin with cancer in combination with radiation therapy , which can be neoadjuvant or adjuvant. With respect to radiotherapy in head and neck region, it’s usually done in neck and face parallel opposed fields , with high voltage devices (such as cobalt bomb and the linear accelerator) at doses raging 50008000cGy. Radiotherapy in tumoricidal doses causes reversible and irreversible side effects in all affected structures skin (radiodermatitis), muscle (fibrosis and trismus), mucosa( mucositis), bones (chance in repair capacity), salivary glands ( xerostomia
OOOO Volume 123, Number 2 and qualitative changes saliva) and teeth (radiation decay). Given the importance of these changes in the quality of life of cancer in patients, and a positive impact on it when there is the participation of a dental surgeon in a multidisciplinary context, the proposal of the authors is to present a literature revision illustrated with clinical cases, with emphasis in preventing and controlling dental practice.
PP - A CASE REPORT ON CEMENTOBLASTOMA: A RARE ODONTOGENIC TUMOR. PEDRO HENRIQUE MATTOS DE CARVALHO, MARIA ELISA RANGEL JANINI, VALDIR MEIRELLES, JÚNIOR, RAFAEL NETTO, ALINE CORRÊA ABRAHÃO, THAIS GOMES AMARAL, RAFAEL FRÓES. UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DO RIO DE JANEIRO. Cementoblastoma is a relatively rare benign neoplasm of the cementum, derived from the ectomesenchyme of odontogenic origin and represents less than 1% of all odontogenic tumors. Cementoblastomas generally involve the permanent mandibular molars or premolars. It grows slowly, tends to expand the overlying cortical plates, and is usually asymptomatic. This benign tumor affects the buccal and lingual aspects of the alveolar ridges. As a cementoblastoma is a benign neoplasm, it grossly forms a mass of cementum-like tissue as an irregular or round mass attached to the roots of a tooth, usually the permanent mandibular first molar. Radiographically, it appears as a well-defined, markedly radiopaque mass with a radiolucent peripheral line, which overlies and obliterates the tooth root. We report herein, a 38-year-old woman who presented with a slight swelling within the buccal aspect of the mandible, near the left first molar. The panoramic and periapical radiographs revealed a sclerotic mass surrounding the root of the affected tooth, clearly attached to it. The entire tooth with both cortices was surgically removed. Histopathological examination confirmed the hypothesis of cementoblastoma. The patient has since shown no clinical or radiological signs of recurrence.
PP - MAMMARY ANALOGUE SECRETORY CARCINOMA: TWO CASES WITH HISTOPATHOLOGICAL APPROACH. PRISCILA TOBOUTI, BRUNO SEDASSARI, NELISE LASCANE, MARIA ISETE FRANCO, SUZANA SOUSA. SCHOOL OF DENTISTRY - UNIVERSITY OF SÃO PAULO. Mammary analogue secretory carcinoma (MASC) is a rare salivary gland neoplasm displaying ETV6 gene translocation. Microscopically, this tumor shares morphological features mainly with acinic cell carcinoma and mucoepidermoid carcinoma. We present two study cases of MASC with emphasis on the morphological aspects for the diagnosis: a 33-year-old woman and a 55-year-old man. Both neoplasms were located in the parotid salivary gland and were clinically characterized by asymptomatic swelling. Histologically, the tumors were circumscribed but not encapsulated, composed of low-grade eosinophilic cells arranged in ductform, microcystic, macrocystic and follicular structures associated with secreted material, with bubbly aspect. In one case, signet ring cells and perineural invasion were observed. The final diagnoses of MASC were established based in morphological and immunohistochemical findings. The patients are under close follow-up.
ABSTRACTS Abstracts e77 PP - THREE-YEAR FOLLOW-UP OF A KERATOCYSTIC ODONTOGENIC TUMOR TREATED BY MARSUPIALIZATION AND ENUCLEATION. EMANOELE PAIXÃO DA SILVA SILVA, INGRID DE ARAÚJO OLIVEIRA SOUZA, ALBERTO CONSOLARO, PAULO SÉRGIO DA SILVA SANTOS. FACULDADE DE ODONTOLOGIA DE BAURU, UNIVERSIDADE DE SÃO PAULO; HOSPITAL INFANTIL DR. JUVÊNCIO MATOS. A keratocystic odontogenic tumor (KCOT) is a benign intraosseous tumor of odontogenic origin with a characteristic lining of parakeratinized stratified squamous epithelium and is characterized by a potential for aggressive, infiltrative behavior. An 11-year-old boy complained of delayed eruption of a lower second molar. Clinical examination revealed intra- and extraoral soft, painless swelling. The mandibular right second molar was impacted. The panoramic image showed a large radiolucency lesion extending from the mandibular posterior right body to the ascending ramus of the mandible. The unerupted mandibular right third molar was dislocated to the mandibular ramus. A computed tomography scan showed expansion of the buccal and lingual bone plate in the right mandibular body. After the incisional biopsy, we diagnosed KCOT. We performed to marsupialization of lesion for decompression and consequent lesion size reduction. After 1 year, we performed enucleation for complete KCOT removal and the extraction of the third mandibular molar. This treatment protocol was an effective and conservative approach for the management of the KCOT. After 3 years, we observed no signs of recurrence.
PP - VERSICAN EXPRESSION IN ORAL LEUKOPLAKIA, IN SITU CARCINOMA AND SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA: AN IMMUNOHISTOCHEMISTRY STUDY. PATRICIA ROCON BIANCHI MOLINI, SANDRA VENTORIN VON ZEIDLER, KARINE GADIOLI OLIVEIRA, FABRICIO PASSADOR-SANTOS, NEY SOARES ARAÚJO, VERA CAVALCANTI DE ARAÚJO, ANDRESA BORGES SOARES. UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DO ESPÍRITO SANTO/CENTRO DE PESQUISAS SÃO LEOPOLDO MANDIC. Versican is a large chondroitin sulphate proteoglycan component of the extracellular matrix. Its increased expression in several tumors implies that it is involved in the development and progression of cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate versican expression in oral leukoplakia without dysplasia (OL), carcinoma in situ (CIS) and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The analysis of versican expression was based on the percentage of positive staining stromal cells, on a scale of 0 to 3 (0 ¼ less than 10%, 1 ¼ 10-25%, 2 ¼ 25-50%, 3 ¼ more than 50% of cells). Increased versican expression was observed in CIS and OSCC, whilst reduced scores were seen in OL (OL: score 0¼ 23%, 1¼41%, 2¼30% and 3¼6% of cases; CIS: score 0¼ 0%, 1¼5%, 2¼11% and 3¼84% of cases; OSCC: score 0¼ 3%, 1¼20%, 2¼18% and 3¼58% of cases). Inflammatory cells were strongly stained in all groups, particularly CIS and OSCC. Some tumor cells were also positive. In conclusion, increased versican expression was seen in CIS and OSCC, which was most likely due to the greater number of inflammatory cells present in these groups.