Histopathological differentiation of oral squamous cell carcinoma and salivary lactate dehydrogenase: A biochemical study

Abstract

Context:Early diagnosis of oral cancer is a priority health objective, in which oral health professionals may play a pivotal role. Detection should lead to less damage from cancer therapy and to a better prognosis.Aims:The aim was to estimate and compare the salivary lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels in various histological differentiation of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients and normal subjects.Settings and Design:Hospital-based setting, case-control study.Subjects and Methods:A case–control study was undertaken comprising 30 OSCC patients and 30 healthy controls. The OSCC patients were grouped into well-differentiated, moderately differentiated and poorly differentiated OSCC based on their histological tumor differentiation. Unstimulated whole saliva was collected, assayed for LDH levels using a standard kit and measured spectrophotometrically at 340 nm.Statistical Analysis Used:The results obtained were subjected to statistical analysis using Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney U-tests. Spearman's correlation was used to correlate the histological tumor differentiation with the salivary LDH levels.Results:The mean salivary LDH levels in the control group, well-differentiated OSCC group, moderately differentiated OSCC group, and poorly differentiated OSCC group were 117.33 ± 19.37 IU/L, 355.83 ± 16.73 IU/L, 484.18 ± 25.84 IU/L, and 620.35 ± 18.69 IU/L, respectively. The difference in the mean salivary LDH levels was statistically significant among the various groups (Kruskal–Wallis χ2 = 50.820, P < 0.001). Spearman's correlation showed significant difference between salivary LDH levels and histological differentiation of OSCC (r = −0.689, P < 0.01).Conclusions:The salivary LDH levels were higher in OSCC patients when compared to the healthy controls. The salivary LDH levels were found to be the highest among the poorly differentiated OSCC.

Salivary Diagnostics

“…Salivary composition is also affected by the presence of food in the mouth. After a meal, total protein and α-amylase in saliva have been seen to increase [16,17].…”

Monitoring a ‘metabolic shift’ after surgical resection of oral squamous cell carcinomas by serum lactate dehydrogenase

“…Levels of serum lactate (10,11), LDH (15,16,22), and its isoenzymes (18) currently have been analyzed for OSCC and head and neck cancer (10,11,15,16,18,22). Moreover, preliminary results investigating salivary lactate (23), LDH (24)(25)(26), and LDH isoenzymes (27) are available for diagnosis of oral precancerous lesions and OSCC.…”

A Study of Salivary and Serum Lactate Dehydrogenase Levels in Tobacco Users and Potentially Malignant Disorders

“…Chronic exposure to low level of CO results in tissue hypoxia. Increased carboxyheamoglobin and decreased oxyhemoglobin has resulted in respiratory acidosis and electrolyte imbalance 8,12 . Due to this imbalance, it act as the diagnostic tool in evaluation of LDH for the detection of oral cancer.…”