Morphometric Analysis of Collagen in Different Grades of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Using Picrosirius Red Stain and Spectrophotometry

INTRODUCTION: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the most formidable health problems for mankind. These carcinomas are characterized by invasion of epithelial tumor cells into the stroma, which get embedded in extracellular matrix and collagen producing reactive changes. Such changes in the stroma may alter the biological aggressiveness of the tumor. An attempt was made to evaluate the collagen changes in different grades of OSCC which can contribute to understanding the biologic behavior of oral cancer and predict clinical outcomes. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To assess the quantitative changes in collagen in different grades of OSCC using hematoxylin and eosin (H and E) and Picrosirius red (PSR) stain through spectrophotometry and to compare the efficacy of these stains for estimation of collagen. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study comprised a total sample size of 60, which were distributed under 4 different groups, each containing 15 samples. Group I to IV consisted of normal buccal mucosa, with well-, moderately-, and poorly-differentiated OSCC, respectively. The tissues of 10 μm thickness were stained with H and E and PSR for spectrophotometric analysis. RESULTS: The quantity of collagen decreased with increasing grades of OSCC. Comparison between two stains showed that PSR can provide a more reliable and accurate result than H and E. CONCLUSION: Collagen estimation is one of the methods to assess the progression of tumor. The method used in the present study for collagen estimation in different grades of OSCC is reliable and accurate.