Abstract:

  Background and Aim : The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of EGFR marker expression in oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) and correlative factors.

  Materials and Methods : A descriptive study was conducted on 40 paraffin embedded blocks of oral SCC. Immunohistochemical staining(IHC)was done for EGFR and EGFR expression was evaluated on the basis of extent and intensity of EGFR immunolabeling in tumor cell membranes. Classification was done on a four point scale as follows: 0(no labeling, or labeling in <10% of tumor cells) 1(weak labeling, homogeneous or patchy, in≥10% of tumor cells) 2(moderate labeling ,homogeneous or patchy, in> 10% of tumor cells)3(intense labeling, homogeneous or patchy in >10% of tumor cells). These categories were subsequently grouped into two wider categories for data analysis: absent/weak labeling (0 or 1)and moderate/intense labeling (2 or 3).The data was analyzed by Fisher exact test.

  Results : The high expression was shown in 45% of OSCCs. There was significant correlation among gender with EGFR expression (p=0/02).

  Conclusion : In this study EGFR expression was significantly higher in female than male, that can be impress biological behavior of tumor.