Argyrophilic proteins of nucleolar organizer regions (AgNORs) in salivary gland mucoepidermoid carcinoma and its relation to histological grade.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to assess the cellular proliferation rate of major and minor salivary gland mucoepidermoid carcinomas (MECs) by quantitative analysis of AgNOR and to determine its relation to histopathologic grading.


METHODS
Thirty-five cases of major and minor salivary gland MECs, were retrieved and graded according to the AFIP grading schema. The mean AgNOR count was calculated for all cases.


RESULTS
Mean AgNOR counts were 0.64 +/- 0.15 in low-, 1.04 +/- 0.21 in intermediate-, and 1.42 +/- 0.23 in high-grade MECs. A significant difference was observed in the mean AgNOR counts among the 3 groups (P < .001).


CONCLUSIONS
It can be suggested that the AgNOR technique can be applied on routine histological samples to assess the growth potential of MECs. However, its prognostic value should be validated with clinical studies and survival analyses.
Alaeddini
Mojgan
M
Dental Research Center, Medical Sciences/University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
Khalili
Maryam
M
Tirgary
Farrokh
F
Etemad-Moghadam
Shahroo
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D034961:Antigens, Nuclear / Q000032:analysis*; D018277:Carcinoma, Mucoepidermoid / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D009697:Nucleolus Organizer Region / Q000737:chemistry*; D011379:Prognosis; D012468:Salivary Gland Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology
D034961:Antigens, Nuclear; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; C051963:nucleolar organizer region associated proteins