| Objective:To investigate the role of Ep-CAM in the genesis of oral squamous cell carcinoma by evaluating the expressions and distributions of Ep-CAM in oral lichen planus,leukoplakia and squamous cell carcinoma.Methods:Ep-CAM expressions were detected by immunohistochemistry in 10 cases of normal oral mucosa, 15 cases of OLP without erosion, 15 cases of OLP with erosion, 20 cases of OLK and 30 cases of OSCC. The rate of positive reaction was determined by image analysis system,Results:l) Significant Ep-CAM immunoreactivities were detected in OSCC,moderate expressions in OLP and OLK,and negative expression in NOM. The difference of average staining intensities was statistically significant. No significant difference in Ep-CAM expressions between OLP and OLK was found (p>0.05). 2) The positive expression rate of Ep-CAM in OSCC was 63.3%,higher than NOM,OLP and OLK (P<0.05). The positive expression rate of Ep-CAM in OLP without erosion was 13.3%,in OLP with erosion was 26.7%,and in OLK was 25.0%. There was no significant difference between the positive expression rates of Ep-CAM in OLP and OLK (p>0.05), both were higher than NOM (p<0.05).3) The expressions of Ep-CAM in OSCC were correlated significantly with lymph node metastasis and the tumor differentiation degree (p<0.05). The expressions also showed no correlation with patient's age and sex(p>0.05).Conclusion:l) The abnormal expressions of Ep-CAM were correlated with the canceration of OLP and OLK.2) OLP and OLK with high Ep-CAM expressions showed higher canceration tendency,which need a close follow-up.3) The expressions of Ep-CAM showed close correlation with lymph node metastasis and the tumor differentiation degree in OSCC,which may be used to evaluate the prognosis of OSCC. |
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