Prognostic significance of stromal eosinophilic infiltration in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Tumor-associated tissue eosinophilia (TATE) has been described in many sites, including head and neck. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and possible role of TATE as a prognostic factor in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Seventy-six consecutive patients with a diagnosis of OSCC were evaluated, and the number of eosinophils was obtained in 3 different areas in the tumor. The possible role of TATE as a prognostic factor in OSCC was investigated with respect to tumor differentiation; perineural, vascular, and muscular invasion (histopathologic parameters); and locoregional metastasis (clinical parameter). Tumor-associated tissue eosinophilia was low in most cases in 3 different areas. The mean eosinophil count was higher in the invasive front of tumor than intratumoral stroma and stroma subjacent the surface epithelium. The relations between TATE and tumor differentiation; perineural, vascular, and muscular invasion; and locoregional metastasis were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Tumor-associated tissue eosinophilia has no correlation with prognostic parameters in OSCC.