Expression Of Ki - 67 And D2-40 In Cervical Lymph Nodes Of Oral Squamous Cell

Purpose:1. To evaluaue the lymphangiogenesis in oral squamous cell carcinoma(OSCC);2. To explore the influence of clinicopathological parameters on the lymph node (LN metastasis in oral squamous cell carcinoma, including of the intratumoral and peritumoral lymphatic vessel density (LVD) and depth of invasion.Methods:Sixty-nine patients with OSCC were included in this analysis. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) with D2-40, Ki-67was used to evaluate the intratumoral and peritumoral LVD. Both LVD and infiltration depth were analyzed with the LN metastasis in early OSCC.Results:1. Mean LVD of "hot spots" was11.2/case. We found increased intratumoral LVD significantly correlated with LN metastasis in early gingival OSCC, however total LVD was not correlated. The difference tested above was also statistically significant(p<0.05) in tongue SCC.2. Protein expression of Ki-67in the cancerous tissues was not correlated with clinicopathological features such as LN metastasis. The differences of Ki-67protein expression between intratumoral and peritumoral was significantly(P<0.0001), while it showed decreased peritumoral compared to intratumoral in well-grade OSCC.3. Depth of invasion significantly correlated with LN metastasis at tongue and mouth floor SCC surgery and lymphatic invasion.Conclusions:1. Depth of invasion significantly correlated with LN metastasis in tongue and mouth floor SCC surgery and lymphatic invasion. It may play an independent significant predictor of LN metastasis. 2. Increased intratumoral LVD significantly correlated with LN metastasis in early gingival OSCC. Depth of invasion and LVD assessment by D2-40IHC may become useful predictors of LN metastasis in early OSCC and may influence the decision making process for surgery. Protein expression of Ki-67has some value on tumor malignancy grade.