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Previous studies have revealed several genes involved in the carcinogenesis of oral cancer. However, the detailed mechanisms underlying this process are poorly understood. Previously, we established a database cataloging the transcriptional progression profile of oral carcinogenesis and identified several candidate genes with continuously increasing or decreasing expression, which specifically promote the transition of oral premalignant lesions to invasive carcinomas. In this study, using our microarray database, we attempted to determine significant genes that may contribute to metabolic alterations during oral carcinogenesis. After performing a literature survey, we focused on 15 candidate genes associated with glucose metabolism changes, particularly the tri-carboxylic acid cycle, and investigated the mRNA-expression status of these genes with our database. Only the solute carrier family 2 member 1 gene (also known as GLUT1), showed significantly increased mRNA expression during oral tumorigenesis. Immunohistochemical analysis confirmed that GLUT1 protein expression significantly increased during oral carcinogenesis. In addition, tumors with high expression of this protein significantly correlated with nodal status (P=0.002). Kaplan-Meier survival curves clearly demonstrated the adverse impact of high GLUT1 protein expression on disease-free survival (P=0.004). GLUT1 mRNA and protein expression increased in the order of normal mucosal tissues, epithelial dysplastic lesions and invasive carcinomas. Therefore, metabolic alterations, especially in glucose metabolism, occurred at the very early stage of development of oral malignancies. In addition, GLUT1 played a significant role in oral cancer, acquiring a malignant phenotype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to determine the risk factors associated with cervical lymph node metastasis (CLNM) in patients with buccal mucosa squamous cell carcinoma (BMSCC). This retrospective study included patients with primary BMSCC who underwent surgery at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgical Oncology of Tokyo Medical and Dental University (Tokyo, Japan) between January 2008 and December 2017. The following data were collected and analyzed: Sex, age, primary lesion subsite, tumor/node/metastasis stage, clinical growth patterns, tumor differentiation, lymphovascular and perineural invasion, mode of invasion, pathological depth of invasion, extent of tumor invasion, and clinical outcome of patients with BMSCC. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify the possible risk factors for CLNM. A total of 75 patients were included in the present study, among whom 30 (40%) were found to have histological CLNM. Of the 33 patients with buccinator muscle infiltration by the tumor, 24 (72.7%) had CLNM. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that buccinator muscle invasion was the most significant predictive risk factor for CLNM in BMSCC. The present study found that tumor invasion of the buccinator muscle was the most significant predictive risk factor for CLNM in BMSCC. Therefore, elective neck dissection should be performed if buccinator muscle invasion is identified in patients with BMSCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pigmented oral squamous cell carcinoma (POSCC) is a rare and underrecognized pathological variant of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The current study aimed to evaluate the clinicopathological characteristics, treatment outcomes and prognosis of patients with POSCC and to investigate its oncological properties using immunohistochemical studies. A total of 1,512 patients were pathologically diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity, and were treated at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Tokyo Medical and Dental University between January 2001 and December 2018. A total of 25 patients had POSCC and underwent radical surgery. Of these 25 patients, 23 presented with early T stage disease. Additionally, 22 patients were negative for cervical lymph nodes metastasis. Only one patient had local recurrence. The 5-year disease-free and disease-specific survival rates were 86.6 and 95.8%, respectively. Immunohistochemically, a high percentage of POSCC exhibited low p53 and Ki-67, preserved E-cadherin or negative vimentin expression. The results suggested that POSCC tends to exhibit non-aggressive oncological behavior and demonstrates a good prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primary intraosseous squamous cell carcinoma (PIOSCC) is a rare malignant central jaw tumor derived from odontogenic epithelial remnants. PIOSCC predominantly affects the mandible, although both jawbones may be involved. This case report describes a PIOSCC type 2 of the maxilla in a 37-year-old man, treated by partial maxillectomy. Histopathologically, the tumor was diagnosed as PIOSCC derived from an odontogenic cyst. Postoperatively, the patient has been followed up for 53 months, with no recurrence of the disease. We herein describe the clinical details, treatment results and histopathological characteristics of a rare case of PIOSCC derived from a maxillary odontogenic cyst with reference to the relevant literature.