p53 aberrations in oral sub mucous fibrosis and oral cancer detected by immunohistochemistry.

Study of expression of p53 oncoprotein in several precancerous and cancer have been done, but only one literature is available regarding p53 expression in Oral Sub Mucous Fibrosis (OMSF), hence this study was taken up (i) to determine the expression of aberrant p53 in Oral Sub Mucous Fibrosis (OSMF) and Oral Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) patients. (ii)To study correlation if any between p53 expression and degree of dysplasia in OSMF and SCC patients and (iii)To study correlation if any between p53 expression and habits in OSMF and SCC patients. Study Design consists of biopsy specimens of 38 cases of OSMF and 37 cases of Squamous cell carcinoma were subjected for staining by immunohistochemistry for p53 protein using LSAB visualization system kit. Clinical details along with habits were recorded and the data analyzed with t- test and chi- square test. Results of the study reveals 18 cases of OSMF and 26 cases of SCC were positive for p53 protein. Only 4 cases of SCC showed (++)grade and the rest all had (+)grade. Out of 75 patients, 65 had the habit of smoking and chewing, 4 patients history of habit was not known. Among patients with habits (65), 40 specimens were +ve for p53 stain and 2 out of 6 without history of habit, 2 out of 4 unknown history of habit took up p53 stain. To conclude study showed higher percentage of p53 positive cells in oral cancer cases when compared to oral sub mucous fibrosis cases. It suggests p53 expression may correlate with increase in dysplasia or malignant transformation. Both smoking and chewing habits had a significant role in p53 positive expression.