Objective: To study the tumor angiogenesis in oral squamous cell carcinoma- by immunohistochemical study with VEGF.

Methods: An observational, cross-sectional study of 50 patients whose oral biopsies and/or operated specimens received in department of Pathology, Hind Institute of Medical Sciences, Barabanki was undertaken to histopathological and immunohistochemical evaluation. All oral biopsies and operated specimen which were clinico-histopathologically diagnosed as oral squamous cell carcinoma were included in the study. A standardized structured questionnaire is used as history sheet of patient.  The information includes age, gender, primary site of lesion, aetiology, type, diameter and evaluation of the regional metastasis if lymph node is palpable. Oral biopsy and operated specimens received were fixed in 10% formalin and processed routinely and were then stained with H&E and VEGF.

Results: More than one third of patients were between 41-50 years of age (36%). Male : Female ratio was 3.1:1.Buccal mucosa was the most common site of lesion (28%). Well differentiated was among more than half of patients (60%). High keratinisation was among more than half of patients (52%). Infiltrating solid cords bands invasion was among more than half of patients (66%). Lymph node 1+ was among one third of patients (32%) and pathologic stage II was among 28% patients. VEGF 2+ was among more than half of patients (42%). VEGF 1+ was in 40% patients.

Conclusion: The data presented in this study clearly indicate that VEGF is highly expressed in OSCC tumor specimens.

Keywords: Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Angiogenesis, VEGF

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Dr Aarti B. Bhattacharya

Professor, Department of Pathology, Hind Institute of Medical Sciences, Safedabad, Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh