title: Stromal fibers in oral squamous cell carcinoma: A possible new prognostic indicator?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Many studies have been carried out to study the role of extracellular matrix proteins, growth factors and matrix metalloproteinases on tumor invasion. However, literature related to the analysis of connective tissue fibers in varying grades of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is very limited.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To analyze the changes in collagen and elastic fibers in varying grades of (OSCC).
  
  
  METHODS
  This retrospective study was carried out using a light and polarizing microscope.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three sections each were cut from fifty samples of varying grades of OSCC and ten samples of control followed by staining with H and E, Picrosirius-Red and Verhoeff-Van Gieson. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of collagen and elastic fibers were accomplished using set criteria.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were entered into the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 13.5 for analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A change in colors of collagen fibers was seen on progressing from well to poorly differentiated OSCC. Thin collagen fibers predominantly exhibited greenish yellow, but the thick fibers exhibited a variety of colors. As the grade of OSCC progressed, collagen fibers were loosely packed haphazardly arranged. Statistically insignificant results were obtained for quantitative analysis of collagen and qualitative analysis of elastic fibers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The collagen fibers undergo a change in color, orientation and packing in the stroma of varying grades of OSCC. The uniqueness of this study lies in the exploration of elastic fibers in OSCC which has not been done so far.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Sudha Rustagi College of Dental Sciences and Research, Faridabad, Haryana, India.
authors.forename: Priyanka
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kardam
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Sudha Rustagi College of Dental Sciences and Research, Faridabad, Haryana, India.
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mehendiratta
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Sudha Rustagi College of Dental Sciences and Research, Faridabad, Haryana, India.
authors.forename: Shweta
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rehani
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Sudha Rustagi College of Dental Sciences and Research, Faridabad, Haryana, India.
authors.forename: Madhumani
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kumra
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Sudha Rustagi College of Dental Sciences and Research, Faridabad, Haryana, India.
authors.forename: Khushboo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sahay
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Sudha Rustagi College of Dental Sciences and Research, Faridabad, Haryana, India.
authors.forename: Kanu
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jain
keywords: Collagen; Verhoeff; elastic fibers; oral squamous cell carcinoma; picrosirius red; polarization