Immunohistochemical evaluation of mast cells and vascular endothelial proliferation in oral precancerous lesion-leukoplakia

BACKGROUND: Oral leukoplakia is the best-known precursor lesion. Although a morphologic feature of oral epithelial dysplasia is well described, less is known about the pathobiologic changes within the cells and over the cell surfaces for malignant transformation. AIMS: The present study is aimed at comparing and correlating the mast cell density (MCD) and micro vascular density (MVD) in Normal Mucosa (NM) and different grades of dysplasia and to analyze their role in disease progression. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MCD was assessed using anti mast cell tryptase and MVD was assessed immunohistochemically using anti-Factor VIII related von Willibrand factor. RESULTS: The Results of the present study showed an exponential increase in microvessel density as mast cell density increased. CONCLUSION: The role of mast cells in angiogenesis as it progresses from normal mucosa to dysplasia is in concordance with the study. The number of mast cells and microvessel can be used as indictors of disease progression.