Cytologic and DNA-cytometric examination of oral lesions in lichen planus

• Published in: Journal of oral pathology & medicine Vol. 35; no. 4; pp. 227 - 232
• Main Authors: Maraki, Dimitra, Yalcinkaya, Sebnem, Pomjanski, Natalia, Megahed, Mosaad, Boecking, Alfred, Becker, Juergen
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01-04-2006; Blackwell
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aneuploidy; Biological and medical sciences; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - genetics; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - pathology; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic - genetics; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic - pathology; Coloring Agents; Cytodiagnosis - methods; Dentistry; Dermatology; DNA image cytometry; DNA, Neoplasm - analysis; Female; Humans; Image Cytometry - methods; lichen planus; Lichen Planus, Oral - genetics; Lichen Planus, Oral - pathology; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Mouth Mucosa - pathology; Mouth Neoplasms - genetics; Mouth Neoplasms - pathology; oral cancer; oral exfoliative cytology; Otorhinolaryngology. Stomatology; Psoriasis. Parapsoriasis. Lichen; Rosaniline Dyes; Sensitivity and Specificity; Tumors; Upper respiratory tract, upper alimentary tract, paranasal sinuses, salivary glands: diseases, semeiology; Human; Skin disease; Oral cancer; Stomatology; Cytology; ENT; Malignant tumor; Lichen planus; oral exfoliative cytology; Cytometry; DNA; Oral cavity disease; DNA image cytometry
• ISSN: 0904-2512; 1600-0714
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0714.2006.00401.x

Backround:  The aim of the present study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of exfoliative cytology (EC) and DNA image cytometry applied to oral lesions of lichen planus (LP; n = 56), in order to detect or exclude malignant transformation.
Methods:  Brush and excisional biopsies were obtained from 56 patients. In cases of oral LP in which brush biopsies were suspicious for tumor cells, nuclear DNA contents were measured, using a TV Image Analysis System.
Results:  In 50 patients EC yielded tumor cell‐negative, doubtful in four cases and suspicious results obtained in two cases. DNA image cytometry revealed DNA‐aneuploidy only in the two suspicious cases. The comparison between cytologic/DNA‐cytometric diagnosis and biopsy histology resulted in a total agreement (LP without dysplasia: 54 and squamous cell carcinoma in LP: two cases).
Conclusions:  In conclusion, cytology with DNA‐cytometry is a highly sensitive, specific, and non‐invasive method, which can be used for periodical follow up of oral LP lesions in order to early detect or exclude malignancy.