title: Minor Salivary Gland Changes in Oral Epithelial Dysplasia and Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma - A Histopathological Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The most common etiology for Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC) is tobacco and tobacco related products which cause nuclear damage to the keratinocytes. The chemical carcinogens not only affect the lining of oral epithelium but also affect the lining epithelium of the excretory ducts of the salivary glands. Thus, there is a possibility of epithelial dysplasia of the salivary duct epithelium which may lead to potential malignant transformation.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The study was performed to see the changes in the minor salivary glands and excretory ducts in cases of oral epithelial dysplasia and OSCC.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 278 archival cases of mild, moderate and severe epithelial dysplasia, carcinoma in situ, OSCC including verrucous carcinoma were histopathologically evaluated to observe changes in the excretory ducts and the minor salivary glands.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the study there were 56.5% males and 43.5% females. The age group that was most commonly affected in both the sexes was 50-60 yr old. Buccal mucosa was the most common site of involvement. Ductal changes observed in the excretory duct include simple hyperplasia, metaplastic changes such as mucous, oncocytic & squamous, and infiltration of inflammatory cells and malignant cells. Acinar changes observed were degeneration, squamous metaplasia, myoepithelial cell proliferation and inflammatory cell infiltration. Both the excretory ducts and ducts within the gland showed dysplasia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  According to observations in our study it is suggested that histopathological interpretation for oral mucosal lesions especially oral epithelial dysplasias and OSCC should also include changes related to salivary gland tissue to provide a better treatment plan and prevent recurrence of the malignant tumours.
authors.affiliation: Head of Department, Deparment of Oral Pathology, Director, Department of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Dean, Sree Anjaneya Institute of Dental Sciences , Calicut, Kerala, India .
authors.forename: Sunil Paramel
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Mohan
authors.affiliation: Lecturer, Department of Oral Biology, School of Dentistry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies , St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad and Tobago .
authors.forename: Ravi Teja
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Chitturi
authors.affiliation: Reader, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Vivekanandha Dental College for Women , Tamilnadu, India .
authors.forename: Yoithapprabhunath Thukanayakanpalayam
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: Ragunathan
authors.affiliation: Professor, Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, K S R Institute of Dental Science and Research , Tiruchengode, Tamilnadu, India .
authors.forename: Suman Jhansi
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Lakshmi
authors.affiliation: Professor, Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Sree Anjaneya Institute of Dental Sciences , Calicut, Kerala, India .
authors.forename: Jaisanghar
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nallusamy
authors.affiliation: Professor and Head, Department of Oral Pathology, Sree Moogambigai Dental College , Kulasekharam, Tamil Nadu, India .
authors.forename: Isaac
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Joseph
keywords: Acinar changes; Excretory duct; Hyperplasia; Metaplasia; Salivary gland tumour