Fascin expression in pleomorphic adenoma and mucoepidermoid carcinoma

Abstract

Background: Salivary gland tumors constitute an important part of oral and maxillofacial
pathology. Pleomorphic adenoma (PA) and mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) are the most
common benign and malignant salivary gland tumors. Fascin is an actin-bundling protein that
increases the motility of normal and transformed epithelial cells. The aims of the study were
to determine the expression of fascin in these tumors and to determine its role in their
progression.
Materials and Methods: A total of 40 formalin-fi xed, paraffi n-embedded tissue blocks of PA, and
20 blocks of MEC were included in this study. Diagnostic confi rmation was performed through
examination of hematoxylin and eosin sections. Both tumors were immunohistochemically analyzed
for the presence of fascin using Avidin-Biotin complex method and evaluated via light microscope
by 2 independent observers. Statistical analysis was performed using Kruskal-Wallis and Chi-square
tests with signifi cant level of P < 0.05.
Results: In both the tumors, the percentage of stained cells was signifi cantly correlated with intensity
of staining (P = 0.01 in PA and P = 0.00 in MEC). In PA, statistical analysis showed a signifi cant direct
correlation between percentage of stained cells and recurrence (P = 0.00).
There was no significant correlation between intensity and percentage of staining with
clinicopathologic factors in MEC.
Conclusion: Fascin might be a useful marker for recurrence of PAs and patients with high fascin
expression in primary PA should be followed up periodically to detect potential recurrence as
soon as possible.
Key Words: Benign, immunohistochemistry, malignant, salivary gland, tumor.
INTRODUCTION
Human fascin is a highly conserved 55-kDa actinbundling
protein that is considered to be involved
in the