title: Histopathological correlation of oral squamous cell carcinoma among younger and older patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC) is commonly noted in elder men, when occurring in younger individuals, its aggression and prognosis is questioned due to biased data in literature. Traditionally, various histopathological grading systems have been used for assessing aggression and prognosis of OSCC. However, multifactorial grading of Anneroth et al., is considered effective.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this retro-prospective study, files of 75 OSCC patients were retrieved from Oral Pathology Department; among this 50 patients were >40 years and 25 patients were ≤40 years of age. Archival formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissue blocks of these patients were used to prepare hematoxylin and eosin (H and E) stained sections for grading OSCC based on Broder's and Anneroth et al., criteria. Further, recurrence of OSCC among study subjects within 5 years of treatment was evaluated. Chi-square test was used to compare the disease in patients who were >40 years with ≤40 years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Comparison according to Broder's classification didn't show any relevant variation. Three of the six parameters and overall grading according to Anneroth et al., criteria showed statistically higher grades of OSCC in the younger age-group; however, there was no significant difference in 5-year recurrence rate.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results of the study are suggestive of aggressive OSCC among young patients when compared to older. Conversely, this aggression didn't affect the recurrence in younger patients. Further studies on genetics, diet and demographics of patients below 40 years of age affected by OSCC will be of greater value.
authors.affiliation: Division of Oral Pathology and Oral Biology, Ibn Sina National College for Medical Studies, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Syed Mukith
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Ur Rahaman
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Bapuji Dental College and Hospital, Davangere, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Br
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ahmed Mujib
keywords: Anneroth et al. grading; multifactorial histopathological grading; oral squamous cell carcinoma; young patients