Immunohistochemical Analysis of Myofibroblasts Using α- SMA in Oral Submucous Fibrosis Turning into Malignancy- A Case Report and Review

Abstract

Oral submucous fibrosis is a premalignant condition, characterized by fibrosis in oral mucosa causing stiffness of mucosa and leading to reduced mouth opening. The malignant transformation of oral submucous fibrosis is very high among the rest of the premalignant conditions. Chronic chewing of arecanut causes production of myofibroblasts. These myofibroblasts plays an important role in neoangiogenesis as well as disintegration of the basement membrane at the tumor invasive front leading to carcinoma.  Here, we are doing an Immunohistochemical study using alpha SMA for proper microscopic visulizations of myofibroblastic activity in an OSF patient, encompassing the pathogenesis and malignant potentiality of the disease.