Assessing the potential role of neutrophil elastase as a prognostic indicator in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract

Past decade has seen the advent of several prognosticators for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Although TNM staging is still considered as the prognostic gold standard, it is not possible to obtain all the necessary information for a pathological TNM staging until excisional biopsy. Thus, it is necessary to identify features from the initial biopsy, which could aid in early prognostication.

Keywords

• leukocyte elastase
• lymphatic metastasis
• staining and labelling
• carcinoma
• squamous cell