[Analysis of basement membranes status in skin squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)]

The aim of study was analysis of basal membranes in skin squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) basing on immunoreactivity of basal membrane component--laminin. The study was carried out on 43 samples of skin SCC which were evaluated histopathologically with regard to 3-grade scale (G) of malignancy. In each case immunohistochemical reactions by use of ABC method were carried out in order to detect laminin within basal membranes. The amount of laminin in basal membranes was evaluated semiquantitatively thus enabling to distinguish 3 groups of SCC: with abundant, moderate and small amount of laminin. The obtained results revealed significant differences within basal membranes according to malignancy grade. Most frequent anomalies referred to differences in basal membranes regularity, thickness and quantitative changes. In group of cancers with abundant laminin the number of tumor nests surrounded with mostly well formed basal membranes was found. Cancers with moderate laminin revealed variously formed basal membranes with distinct morphologic alterations and local gaps in continuity. In group of cancers with small laminin solely remnants of basal membranes were found. The results of present study indicated predominance of moderate amount of basal membranes in skin G1-2 SCC and small amount of basal membranes in poorly differentiated G3 SCC. The use of immunohistochemical methods in evaluation of laminin expression can be a useful tool in routine histopathologic examination of tumors of epithelial origin.