title: Evaluation of secretory mucin concentration of patients with squamous cell carcinoma oral cavity.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Secretory salivary mucins constitute a heterogenous group of glycoproteins, synthesized and secreted by submandibular, sublingual gland and small glands of oral mucosa. The most significant functions of mucins in case of oral cavity carcinoma are: participation in oral pellicle formation, lubrication and creation of heterotypic complexing. The aim of this study was to assess mucins concentration, and finally to establish the correlation between concentration of mucins in saliva and clinical advancement according to TNM.
  
  
  METHODS
  The research was conducted on mixed resting and stimulated saliva of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma. Mucin's concentration was measured one day before, and thirty days after surgical procedure. The volume of saliva was volumetrically determined, quantitative evaluation of mucins was accomplished by PAS method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In comparison with K group, a significant decrease of mucins was found in resting and stimulated saliva of patients with carcinoma in all degrees of clinical advancement. Mean value of mucin in resting and stimulated saliva after surgical treatment were lowered. The degree of carcinoma clinical advancement correlated negatively with mucin concentration.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The decrease of mucin contained in saliva may be important in further evolution or progression of carcinoma. The results also suggest that saliva may be a significant diagnostic material in carcinoma research.
authors.affiliation: Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, Medical University of Białystok, Poland. dyrka2@wp.pl
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dziemiańczyk
authors.forename: S Z
authors.initials: SZ
authors.lastname: Grabowska
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Balicki
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D009077:Mucins / Q000378:metabolism*; D012463:Saliva / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D009077:Mucins