Assessment of role of eosinophils in the progression of tongue carcinoma

Abstract

Background: Tumor associated tissue eosinophilia (TATE) is known as stromal infiltration of eosinophils in the stroma of tumor not associated with tumor necrosis or ulceration. It has been described in a variety of neoplasms, but the role in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) of tongue has not yet been clearly defined. Association of TATE with OSCC has shown variable results ranging from favorable to unfavorable or even no influence on prognosis.Aims and Objectives: The aim of the present study was to correlate TATE with histopathological grades, lymph node status, tumor thickness and nature of tumor cells at the invasive front in OSCC of tongue.Material and Methods: Retrospectively fifty six cases of OSCC of tongue treated with radical neck dissection were included, which were divided into Group I consists 22 cases (lymph node with metastasis) & Group II consists 34 cases (lymph node without metastasis). H & E stained sections were used to analyze TATE and compared with histopathological grades, lymph node status, tumor thickness and nature of invasive front. Statistical analysis was done using Chi-square test.Results: TATE did not have any significant association with histopathological grades, lymph node status and nature of tumor cells at invasive front. But, tumor thickness and presence of eosinophils showed significant association. Also as the tumor thickness increased, the cells were more discohesive at the invasive front region.Conclusion: Microenvironment of tumor significantly contributes in the tumor progression. Tumor thickness, nature of tumor cells at the invasive front and TATE together can help in assessing the behavior of tongue squamous cell carcinoma.Asian Journal of Medical Sciences Vol.7(5) 2016 17-21

Tumor-associated tissue eosinophilia in oral squamous cell carcinoma – A predictable biological behavior

“…[18,19] Numerous studies have shown an improved prognosis with TATE in various types of solid tumors, including OSCC, independent of other standard prognostic factors (e.g., stage, age, sex, alcohol or tobacco history, histologic grading, vascularization, vascular invasion, and neural invasion). [20] These studies [4,[21][22][23][24][25][26] favor that increased number of tissue eosinophil associated with anti-tumoral role and shows good prognosis. Furthermore, there have been conflicting reports of TATE as a poor prognostic indicator in OSCC, although it has been suggested that this discrepancy may be related to differences in study methods and design.…”

“…Few studies even suggest that there is no prognostic value of TATE in OSCC. [4,30] Histopathological grading of tumor is done based on the differentiation of cells as well, moderate and poorly differentiated and is a standard method to assess the behavior of the tumor. [4] In the present study, we observed that TATE is decreasing from well-differentiated OSCCs to poorly differentiated OSCCs, though we did not get the significant difference between TATE in histopathological grades of OSCC.…”

“…[4,30] Histopathological grading of tumor is done based on the differentiation of cells as well, moderate and poorly differentiated and is a standard method to assess the behavior of the tumor. [4] In the present study, we observed that TATE is decreasing from well-differentiated OSCCs to poorly differentiated OSCCs, though we did not get the significant difference between TATE in histopathological grades of OSCC. Our findings are in accordance with studies by Alkhabuli and High, [9] where they did not find significant difference between density of eosinophils and SCC differentiation.…”

“…[3] Increased tissue eosinophil levels have been reported in various malignancies, including OSCC. [4] Wharton Jones, in 1846, first observed a rare granulocyte with coarse granules termed as "eosinophils" by Paul Ehrlich later in 1880. [5] These multifunctional, multifaceted leukocytes play a key role in health and disease, are also involved in the pathogenesis, inflammatory processes, infectious diseases, tissue injury, tumor immunity, and allergic reactions.…”