Evaluation of mast cell density in oral squamous cell carcinoma and normal oral mucosa – an immunohistochemical study

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common malignancy of the oral cavity. The prognosis and five year survival rate of OSCC has not improved over a decade. Many factors have been proposed which induce tumor formation, tumor progression and metastasis in OSCC. Mast cells have prominent role in tumor progression and metastasis. Mast cells contains proteases namely tryptase and chymase. These proteases degrade the extracellular matrix. This proteolytic activity promotes angiogenesis, invasion and metastasis. Thus, mast cells can be used as therapeutic targets to improve the prognosis and overall survival of the OSCC cases. We evaluated density of mast cells using anti mast cell tryptase antibody. The density of mast cells in OSCC is significantly greater in OSCC as compared to normal oral mucosa. Localization of mast cells is predominantly seen surrounding vascular channels and infiltrating tumor islands.