MITOTIC FIGURES IN EPITHELIAL DYSPLASIA AND SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA

The oral epithelial dysplastic lesion also called as a pre-cancer lesion is among the most intricate topics of head and neck pathology. The concept of a stepwise development of cancer in the oral mucosa, i.e., the initial presence of a precursor (pre-malignant/precancerous) lesion subsequently developing into cancer is well established. The presence of epithelial dysplasia may be even more important in predicting malignant development than the clinical characteristics. Defects of mitosis results in various nuclear abnormalities, namely, micronuclei, binucleation, broken egg appearance, pyknotic nuclei and increased number of and / or abnormal mitotic figures These abnormal mitotic figures are commonly seen in oral epithelial dysplasia and squamous cell carcinoma. Increased numbers of and / or abnormal mitotic figures are important criteria that carry increased weightage in the grading of dysplasias and scc.A properly standardized histochemical stain and precise use of morphological criteria for identification of mitotic figures helps in proper idendification.