Abstract
BACKGROUND: Odontogenic epithelium plays an important role in the histogenesis of odontogenic tumors of the jaws. Ameloblastomas, which arise from odontogenic epithelium, are considered benign with little tendency to metastasize. Tumors require an adequate supply of oxygen and a way to remove their waste products. This can be achieved by angiogenesis. In situ quantification of the microvessel density (MVD) is a usual method for assessing angiogenesis. Moreover, angiogenesis may differ in subtypes of ameloblastomas and could play a role in determining the pattern of tumor growth. AIM: The aim of the present study was to demonstrate the expression of cluster of differentiation (CD34) in variants of ameloblastomas and to correlate and compare their expression to the aggressive behavior. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional study which included forty paraffin blocks was conducted after obtaining ethical committee clearance. Ten cases of pyogenic granuloma were used as a positive control and thirty cases were of solid multicystic ameloblastoma (SMA), unicystic ameloblastoma (UA) and desmoplastic ameloblastomas. Angiogenesis was assessed using CD34 antigen and was immunohistochemically localized. Statistical analysis was carried out for comparative analysis with the help of ANOVA test, Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and least significance difference test. RESULTS: A significant correlation was obtained between the MVD of all the three variants, i.e., SMA, UA and desmoplastic ameloblastomas which was statistically significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Increased MVD in the three variants, i.e., SMA, UA and desmoplastic ameloblastoma seen in the present study could suggest that the angiogenesis has an important role in tumor progression and aggressiveness of ameloblastomas.