Oral Lichen to Oral Cancer - Can it be Predicted?

Sammanfattning

Aim: There are currently no established histological parameters that can predict whether oral lichenoid reactions (OLR) will progress into oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The aim of this study was to evaluate whether a selection of predetermined histological lichenoid parameters can be used to predict the malignant transformation of OLR into OSCC. Materials and Method: The study group consisted of 83 histological samples of OLRs which later developed into OSCC. The control group consisted of 30 samples clinically diagnosed as oral lichen planus (OLP) that had not yet developed into OSCC. The samples were examined by two observers according to a grading scheme. The data collected was analyzed using independent samples t-test, Mann Whitney-U test and Kendall’s Tau-b test. Results: Results showed a tendency for a higher number of mitoses in the study group and more fibrinogen deposition in the control group, however not statistically significant. In the study group, there was a moderate positive correlation between presence of epithelial crests and number of mitoses (0.413, p<0.001), as well as the amount of lymphocytes and liquefaction degeneration (0.362, p<0.001). No significant correlations were found in the control group. Conclusion: No statistically significant finds could be identified that could confirm the parameters studied as single predictors of the malignant transformation of OLR into OSCC. However, further research on refined groups, including clinical data, may provide clues for the histological prediction of OSSC in OLR.