Grading angiogenesis in oral squamous cell carcinoma: a histomorphometric study

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Pathology
• Angiogenesis Research

Background:

• Tumors, like normal tissues, rely on angiogenesis for nutrient supply and waste removal.
• Angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels, is crucial in various physiological and pathological processes, including tumor growth.

Purpose of the Study:

• To morphometrically evaluate angiogenesis in oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs) of different grades.
• To determine if vascularity parameters (MVD, MVA, TVA) can assist in the histological grading of OSCCs.

Main Methods:

• Morphometric analysis of H and E stained sections from 10 cases each of well-, moderately-, and poorly-differentiated OSCCs.
• Quantification of mean vascular density (MVD), mean vascular area (MVA), and total vascular area (TVA).
• Comparison of vascularity parameters between tumor grades and normal oral mucosa using Student's t-test.

Main Results:

• Significant differences in MVD, MVA, and TVA were observed between poorly differentiated OSCC and normal mucosa, as well as well- and moderately-differentiated OSCC.
• Differences in vascularity parameters between well- and moderately-differentiated OSCC were not statistically significant.

Conclusions:

• Poorly differentiated OSCC exhibits increased MVD, MVA, and TVA compared to less aggressive tumors and normal tissue.
• Increased vascularity parameters can serve as an additional criterion for the histological grading of oral squamous cell carcinomas.