Marianne de Vasconcelos Carvalho

Clinicopathologic analysis of 493 cases of salivary gland tumors in a Southern Brazilian population

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to determine the distribution and demographic features of salivary gland tumors (SGTs) in a large Brazilian population. STUDY DESIGN A total of 493 cases of SGTs diagnosed between 2001 and 2011 from a general pathology laboratory and an oral pathology service were reviewed with respect to their clinicopathologic features. RESULTS A total of 369 tumors were benign and 124 were malignant. The mean age of patients with benign tumors was 46.3 years and that of patients with malignancies was 54.0 years. The parotid gland was the most common location (42.3%). Pleomorphic adenoma (PA) and Warthins tumor were the most common benign neoplasias, whereas mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) and adenocarcinoma, not otherwise specified, were the most frequent malignancies. CONCLUSIONS The present data confirm that PA and MEC are the most common benign and malignant SGTs. However, it is important to consider that differences in tumor types may be influenced by whether a tumor derives from a medical or a dental service.

Epidemiology and correlation of the clinicopathological features in oral epithelial dysplasia: analysis of 173 cases

Oral epithelial dysplasias (OEDs) are potentially malignant disorders characterized by diverse degrees of cellular atypia. The early and careful diagnosis has extreme importance, allowing prevention of the progression to the oral squamous cell carcinoma. This study aimed to determine the epidemiology and then correlate it with the clinicopathological features of OED. One hundred seventy-three cases of oral lesions retrieved from the files of a Service of Pathological Anatomy, covering a 38-year period, were submitted to descriptive statistical analysis through the Pearson χ(2) test. The majority of cases were from affected females (57.9%), with a peak of occurrence in the age group of 41 and 55 years (37.3%), white patients (64.8%), and those with lesions located on the gingiva/alveolar ridge (25.1%). The lesions predominantly presented with white color (56.8%) and were described as nodules (27.4%), with a rough surface (76.7%), an exophytic growth (79.1%), and a sessile base (95.6%). The majority of the lesions with degree of mild (34.6%) and moderate (34.9%) OED had clinical diagnosis of leukoplakia, whereas 33.3% of the lesions with degree of severe had clinical diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma (P < .05). Tobacco use was the risk habit more related with OED (42.6%) (P > .05). The knowledge of OED epidemiology and clinical features provide a better understanding of the factors that possibly are associated with the malignant transformation of OED. Furthermore, these results contribute to supporting a prompt and accurate recognition of these lesions in clinical practice.

Microscopic diversity in oral Kaposi sarcoma

Kaposi sarcoma is the most common HIV-associated neoplasm, frequently presenting with oral mucosal involvement. This retrospective study aimed to assess and highlight the histomorphological spectrum of oral Kaposi sarcoma. A total of 135 cases diagnosed between 1990 and 2011 were retrieved from the archives of the Oral and Dental Hospital of the University of Pretoria, South Africa. Following histologic review, each case was placed into 1 of 7 categories based on the predominant pattern of growth. These histologic divisions included lesions designated as solid, lymphangioma-like, telangiectatic, desmoplastic, lymphangiectatic, ecchymotic, and anaplastic. The presence of coexistent pathology was identified in 25 cases, largely represented by superimposed candidiasis. Concomitant cytomegalovirus and non-necrotizing granulomatous inflammation were also observed. Although the prognostic significance of these variants is yet to be determined, the appreciation and recognition of such morphologic diversity remains essential in distinguishing these lesions from possible mimickers.

CD1a+and CD83+Langerhans cells are reduced in lower lip squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND Actinic cheilitis (AC) is a potentially malignant lesion diagnosed in the lip of patients chronically exposed to the sun that may give rise to a fully invasive lower lip squamous cell carcinoma (LLSCC). It is known that ultraviolet radiation causes dendritic cells (DCs) depletion in the epidermis, but the role of this cellular population in lip cancer progression remains uncertain. Therefore, this study investigated the distribution of DCs in normal, dysplastic and neoplastic tissues of the lower lip. METHODS Thirteen cases of lower lip mucocele, 42 of ACs and 21 of LLSCC were retrieved and original diagnoses confirmed by two oral pathologists, who further classified ACs as low- and high-risk lesions. Immunoreactions against CD1a and CD83 identified immature and mature DCs, respectively. RESULTS Immature CD1a+ Langerhans cells (LCs) were significantly decreased in LLSCC when compared to morphologically normal (P < 0.009) and dysplastic epitheliums (P < 0.003), whereas mature CD83+ LCs were significantly decreased in LLSCC when compared to normal epithelium (P = 0.038). There was no significant difference between low- and high-risk ACs regarding CD1a+ and CD83+ LCs (P > 0.05), but ACs demonstrated a lower concentration of CD1a+ LCs than normal epithelium (P < 0.009). There was no significant difference in the distribution of CD1a+ and CD83+ interstitial dendritic cells (IDCs) in the connective tissue among the studied groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION These results suggest that depletion of epithelial LCs, but not IDCs in the connective tissue, would represent an important step for lip cancer development.