An experimental model to demonstrate the carcinogenic action of oral chronic traumatic ulcer.
BACKGROUND
Oral chronic traumatic ulcer (CTU) is caused by constant irritation by dental edges or restorations and could behave as a pre-malignant lesion in a field initiated by carcinogens such as tobacco or alcohol.


METHODS
We developed an experimental model in the hamster cheek pouch, combining the chemical carcinogen 7,12-dimethyl-benzanthracene (DMBA) with CTU.


RESULTS
The successive or simultaneous action of both agents induced a significantly larger number of endophytic carcinomas than larger doses of DMBA alone. CTU alone failed to induce tumor development. Ploidy analysis revealed significantly higher malignancy indices in endophytic than in exophytic carcinomas. 5-Bromo-2-deoxyuridine labeling evidenced greater proliferation around the ulcers in chemically cancerized epithelium than around ulcers in healthy epithelium.


CONCLUSIONS
The results show that CTU acts as a tumor promoter in this model. This finding is clinically relevant in that CTU may increase the risk of malignant transformation in patients with subclinical tumor initiation.
Pérez
Miguel Angel
MA
Department of Oral Pathology, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Raimondi
Ana Rosa
AR
Itoiz
María Elina
ME
D015127:9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene; D000818:Animals; D002273:Carcinogens; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000209:etiology*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003043:Cocarcinogenesis; D006224:Cricetinae; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008647:Mesocricetus; D023421:Models, Animal; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000209:etiology*; D019226:Oral Ulcer / Q000150:complications*; D011003:Ploidies
D002273:Carcinogens; D015127:9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene