title: Mast cells and angiogenesis in oral malignant and premalignant lesions.
abstract: Mast cell contribution to neoangiogenesis during tumorigenesis in oral squamous cell carcinoma is not determined yet.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To associate numerical mast cell density (MCD) to numerical microvessel density (MVD) during the progression of oral leukoplakia without dysplasia and leukoplakia with dysplasia to squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).
  
  
  METHODS
  MVD was analysed immunohistochemically (mouse monoclonal anti-human CD34) in 49 paraffin-embedded specimens, 35 OSCCs, 9 leukoplakias and 5 normal oral tissues. Toluidine blue counterstaining revealed mast cells. MCD and MVD were assessed at the same optical field.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MVD increased between: normal oral mucosa, dysplasia (p=0.004), OSCC (p=0.001), leukoplakia and OSCC (p=0.041). MCD increased between: normal oral mucosa, dysplasia (p=0.003), OSCC (p=0.000), leukoplakia and OSCC (p=0.007). MVD was found to depend on MCD (p=0.000) in a percent 28.3% (power curve fit model).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Mast cells are attracted at the lesion site and may turn on an angiogenic switch during tumorigenesis in OSCC.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine and Maxillofacial Pathology, Aristotle University, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: E Z
authors.initials: EZ
authors.lastname: Michailidou
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Markopoulos
authors.forename: D Z
authors.initials: DZ
authors.lastname: Antoniades