Assessment of Apoptotic Index in Oral Epithelial Dysplasia and Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Light Microscopic Study

Background: In India, oral cancers are the most common cancer in males and the third most common in females. Apoptosis means programmed cell death. In general, the onset and development of cancer has been linked to a reduction in the rate of apoptosis. Aim: To assess apoptotic index in oral epithelial dysplasia and oral squamous cell carcinoma and to evaluate its prognostic role in oral cancers and to correlate apoptotic index and histological grading of oral epithelial dysplasia and oral squamous cell carcinoma. Materials and Methods: Study sample includes diagnosed 60 paraffin wax blocks of oral epithelial dysplasia, oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) retrieved from the department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology. Assessment of apoptotic index (AI) using light microscopy was performed on haematoxylin and eosin stained tissue sections of each samples. Statistical Analysis Used was Students 't' test was performed. Results: The mean AI increased progressively with increasing grades of dysplasia, with the maximum AI in well-differentiated ( WD) OSCC, and a less was noted with progression toward higher grades. Statistical significance was not seen between different grades of dysplasia. The difference between WD OSCC and poorly-differentiated OSCC was statistically significant (P < 0.05) in our study. Conclusion: Apoptosis can be accurately assessed using light microscopy. Tumours that exhibit lesser apoptosis index tend to show aggressive behaviour.