Search

To ensure reliable surgical margins, intraoperative frozen section histological analysis (FS) has been performed since October, 2005 as follows: i) the orientation at the anatomical position and extent of the tumor are shared between oral pathologists and oral surgeons using imaging evaluations and pathological pictures and the planned site of sampling for intraoperative FS is confirmed; ii) a tumor team is organized and the team marks the tumor area and sets the resection range to correct the setting errors of the resection range among operators; iii) vital Lugol staining is applied to the lesion prior to tumor resection, the surgical margin is set based on the non-stained region and the extent of the tumor is macroscopically confirmed in the maximum cross-sectional surface of the resected specimen; and iv) FS is performed using samples from resected specimens to confirm the mucoepithelium and safety margin of the deep stump. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of our FS method. The treatment outcomes of oral squamous cell carcinoma were retrospectively investigated in patients treated prior to (Group 1) and after (Group 2) the introduction of our FS method. The recurrence rate of the primary lesions was high (17.3%) in Group 1, but decreased significantly in Group 2 (6.9%). Regarding clinicopathological factors, the condition of the surgical margins was associated with recurrence of the primary lesion in Group 1, but not in Group 2. In conclusion, our FS method appears to be useful for resecting tumors with reliable safety margins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is an early step in the acquisition of invasiveness by malignant tumors. It has been clarified that the tumor microenvironment affects malignancy in a number of different carcinomas, in particular, that a hypoxic environment induces EMT. Activation of Notch signaling induces EMT, but it remains unclear how the Notch pathway is involved in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) under hypoxia. Three OSCC cell lines were cultured for examination under hypoxic (1% O2) and normoxic (21% O2) conditions. Expression of E-cadherin was investigated as a hallmark of EMT by immunohistochemical examination. Cell motility and invasion were examined by wound-healing and invasion assays, respectively. The expression of Notch pathway molecules was analyzed by qPCR. Hypoxia increased the mRNA expression of Notch receptors, ligands and target genes, and Snail. Hypoxia decreased the expression of E-cadherin, and increased the motility and invasiveness of OSCC cell lines. γ-secretase inhibitor, a Notch-specific inhibitor, prevented these effects caused by h-ypoxia. These findings suggest that hypoxia induces EMT in OSCC cell lines via activation of Notch signaling, and inhibition of the Notch signaling pathway to suppress EMT may be a useful approach for the treatment of OSCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An important factor in caring for oral cancer patients receiving chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy is palliation of oral mucositis and acute oral pain due to oral mucositis. One effective treatment is the Azunol Gargle, which contains sodium gualenate hydrate (GAS-Na) with or without lidocaine hydrochloride, and is prepared in four forms: Azunol Saline Gargle (AS, saline solution containing 0.006% GAS-Na), Azunol Lidocaine Saline Gargle (ALS, AS with lidocaine), Azunol Water Gargle (AW, aqueous solution containing 0.006% GAS-Na) and Azunol Lidocaine Water Gargle (ALW, AW with lidocaine). However, the four Azunol Gargles are expected to improve the quality of life of patients with oral mucositis, little is known about the stability of AW and ALW. Therefore, we examined stability of those solutions to the light and the temperature as an index of residual ratio of GAS-Na. As a result, AW and ALW were stable for seven days at room temperature if shielded from light, and at 4°C under lighting conditions similar to those at nursing stations. These results provide useful information regarding the management of oral mucositis in oral cancer patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]