P53 Expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma as a predictor of high grade malignancy and regional metastasis-an experience from a tertiary care hospital

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the sixth most common cancer in the world. It usually develops in males in the 6th and 7th decade and is caused by tobacco and alcohol consumption.

This study was performed on 40 histopathologically proven cases of squamous cell carcinoma of oral region in Department of Pathology SGRDIMSR, Amritsar, Punjab. Tissue were stained for H & E and further immunostained for p53 receptor. p53 expression was correlated with histological grading, age, sex, vascular, perineural, muscle invasion and lymph node metastasis.

In our study, maximum incidence was seen in age group of 41–60 years with a male: female ratio of 7: 1. A statistically significant correlation between p53 positivity with grade of carcinoma and cases presenting with nodal metastasis was seen. However, no such correlation was seen with age, sex, vascular, neural and muscle invasion.

p53 positivity shows a direct correlation with grade and lymph node metastasis of SCC in head and neck. Thus, p53 has an influence on prognosis.