Comparative analysis of nucleomorphometric parameters in methyl green-pyronin-stained sections of oral epithelial dysplasia, oral submucous fibrosis and oral squamous cell carcinoma

CONTEXT: The diagnosis and grading of epithelial dysplasia is based on a combination of architectural and cytological changes. A gradual increase in quantitative DNA aberrations has been found to correlate with increasing degree of dysplasia in oral mucous membranes. AIMS: The aim of this study is to assess nuclear parameters in potentially malignant and malignant lesions of the oral cavity and to assess cytomorphometric changes in the nucleus and nucleolus in oral epithelial dysplasia (OED), oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF), oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and normal oral mucosa using methyl green-pyronin staining to determine its suitability for detecting potentially malignant lesions and the stage of carcinogenesis. METHODS: Forty-five archival sections of OED, OSMF and OSCC and 5 cases of normal oral mucosa as the control group were stained according to methyl green-pyronin-staining protocol. Cytomorphometric parameters such as nuclear diameter, nucleolar diameter, number of nucleoli and cytoplasmic RNA were assessed. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: The study was subjected to statistical analysis to evaluate the association between morphometric parameters using analysis of variance test, followed by Bonferroni's post hoc analysis. RESULTS: A progressive increase in the nuclear parameters as well as cytoplasmic RNA content was observed between normal mucosa through dysplasia and OSMF to OSCC. CONCLUSION: This study serves as an effective diagnostic aid in assessing nuclear parameters in potentially malignant and malignant epithelial lesions affecting oral cavity.