S100A4, a biomarker of epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT), plays an important role in invasion and metastasis by promoting cancer cell motility. In oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), metastasis results in 90% of cancer associated mortality. Objective: To investigate the role of S100A4 expression as an important component of the epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) program in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Material and Methods: S100A4 protein expression was assessed semi-quantitatively by immunohistochemistry in 47 histologically confirmed cases of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and 10 normal oral mucosal biopsies. The association between the S100A4 overexpression and the aggressive features of OSCC were analyzed by X2 test. Results: Moderate to strong cytoplasmic expression of S100A4 was observed in 30 out of 47 specimens of OSCC (64%). Overexpression of S100A4 was significantly associated with the clinical stage, lymph node involvement, metastases, pattern of invasion and recurrence (p<0.05). Conclusion: S100A4 expression represents an important biomarker of prognostic significance that may be used to identify a subset of patients at high risk of invasion and metast

The orthokeratinized odontogenic cyst (OOC) is a rare developmental jaw cyst. Recognition of OOC as a unique entity has long been due, yet its inexplicable radiographic presentation resembling dentigerous cyst, histological likeness to odontogenic keratocyst (OKC) and inconsistent cytokeratin expression profiles overlapping with both as well as with the epidermis, makes it rather confounding. Diagnosis of OOC is important as the pathologic behavior, clinical outcome and the surgical management of OOC is disparate. This is the report of a case of OOC in relation to an impacted mandibular third molar and critical review of this entity with an emphasis on its biologic characteristics is highlighted.