Histopathologic features in actinic cheilitis by the comparison of grading dysplasia systems.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to determine the histopathologic findings in actinic cheilitis (AC) and lip squamous cell carcinomas (LSCC) diagnosed at Federal University of Santa Catarina in order to attempt to predict the evolution from AC to LSCC based on the comparison of two dysplasia classification systems.

METHODS

Histopathologic features were evaluated according to the World Health Organization classification of dysplasia and binary system of classification. Also, in LSCC, pattern, stage of invasion, and degree of keratinization were evaluated. A total of 58 cases of AC and 70 cases of LSCC were studied, and data correlation was performed using statistical analysis.

RESULTS

The presence of dyskeratosis and keratin pearls was found to be strongly associated with severe dysplasia and could represent higher proximity between the severe dysplasia in AC and LSCC. Also, changes related to the nuclei, such as hyperchromasia, nuclear pleomorphism, anisonucleosis, increase in the number and size of nucleoli, increased number of mitoses, and atypical mitoses, indicate progression in dysplasia spectrum.

CONCLUSION

Knowledge of clinical and histological features of AC and LSCC leads to better understanding of factors possibly associated with malignant transformation of epithelial dysplasia.