Lymphangiogenesis and Lymph Node Metastasis in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Background/Aim: Tumor lymphangiogenesis plays a key role in lymph node (LN) metastasis in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The purpose of this study was to investigate podoplanin and lymphatic vessel endothelial hyaluronan receptor 1 (LYVE-1) and their relationship to nodal metastasis and other clinicopathological variables. Patients and Methods: Podoplanin and LYVE-1 expression of the primary tumor and normal tissue were investigated by means of a quantitative real-time PCR assay and immunohistochemistry in samples from 33 cases of OSCC. Results: The mRNA high expression levels of both genes had a statistically significantly higher rate of LN metastasis (p<0.01) and histological grade (p<0.01 for podoplanin, p<0.05 for LYVE-1). High expression of each gene, as shown by immunohistochemistry, had a statistically significant higher rate of LN metastasis (p<0.01 for podoplanin, p<0.05 for LYVE-1). Conclusion: Podoplanin and LYVE-1 were strongly associated with LN metastasis.