title: Histological significance of p53 gene expression in squamous cell carcinoma of the buccal mucosa.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) results from genetic mutations which activate the oncogenes and inactivate the tumor suppressor gene namely TP53. Despite the use of multimodality treatments the prognosis of oral SCC has not changed significantly.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate 1) if there is any correlation between the two prognostic indicators i.e. p53 over expression and histological grade of the tumor 2) if any of the parameters of histological grading correlate significantly with p53 over expression. This information would help in understanding the exact role of TP53 gene mutation in cellular progression of oral SCC.
  
  
  METHODS
  Study was conducted on 90 resected specimens of Stage IV SCC of buccal mucosa. Slides from these specimens were evaluated for histological grading by Anneroth's method and p53 over expression by Immunohistochemistry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Statistically significant co-relation was seen between the total histological grade and p53 over expression. Also 4 individual histological parameters which indicated high cellular turnover were also significantly associated with p53 over expression.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  TP53 mutation histologically signifies an early event in cellular progression of oral SCC.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Karnataka Cancer Therapy and Research Institute, Hubli, India  ; Karnataka Cancer Therapy and Research Institute, Navanagar, Hubli India.
authors.forename: Bhushan V
authors.initials: BV
authors.lastname: Jayade
authors.forename: Kishore
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bhat
authors.forename: B R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Patil
authors.forename: Ramakant
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nayak
authors.forename: Aswari
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sant
keywords: Anneroth’s grade; Histology; Immunohistochemistry; Oral squamous cell carcinoma; p53