Mast Cells Density in Hyperkeratosis, Dysplastic Oral Mucosa and Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Background: Mast cells normally present in small numbers in the connective tissue of all organs and release a variety of potent mediators like histamine, leukotrienes, cytokines, chymase, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), tryptase and heparin through degranulation. Objectives: The aim of the present study was the assessment of mast cell density in hyperkeratosis, dysplastic oral mucosa and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).Methods: In this retrospective analytical study, paraffinized specimens from 15 cases of normal mucosa and 23 cases of well-differentiated OSCC, cases of hyperkeratosis and dysplasia were selected. Sections were stained with toluidine blue and then were counted at 400× magnification in hotspot areas under a light microscope. The results were analyzed using ANOVA. P values less than 0.05 were considered significant. Results: Mast cells density (MCD) increased in hyperkeratosis, dysplasia, and OSCC. There was not any significant correlation between mast cell density and hyperkeratosis, dysplastic mucosa and normal mucosa. There were significant differences between mast cell counts in SCC and normal mucosa. Conclusions: MCD is higher in hyperkeratosis and dysplastic oral mucosa than in normal mucosa. There were significant differences between mast cell counts in SCC and normal mucosa.