The role of mast cells and angiogenesis in well-differentiated oral squamous cell carcinoma

Objective: Neo-vascularization is vital for an expansion and metastasis of a tumor and is influenced by a number of mediators. Mast cells are believed to release many pro-angiogenic mediators that may help in tumor expansion and invasion. This study describes the role of mast cells and angiogenesis in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Study Design: It was a prospective study in which 37 biopsies of well-differentiated OSCC were obtained. Micro-vessels were stained with cluster of differentiation (CD)-34 and mast cells were counted using the Toluidine blue stain. Results: When compared to normal oral mucosal tissue, it was seen that micro-vessel density and mast cell density indeed increases significantly in squamous cell carcinoma; however, they are not correlated to each other. Conclusion: This study reports that angiogenesis does increase in OSCC and mast cells also invade the peri-tumor tissue, but they are not directly correlated.