Serum alkaline phosphatase in oral squamous cell carcinoma and its association with clinicopathological characteristics

CONTEXT Biochemical changes occur in biological fluids and tissues of different types of malignancies. Tumor markers in serum, tissue, and other body fluids during neoplastic process are of clinical value in the management of patients with cancers. Serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity is potentially a useful indicator for detection of malignancies, but its status in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is less explored. AIMS The aim of this study is to evaluate the serum level of ALP in OSCC patients and assess its relation with the clinicopathological features. SETTINGS AND DESIGN A total of 175 participants (145 OSCC patients and 30 healthy controls) were included in the study. One hundred and forty-five patients with OSCC who underwent treatment at our institution were included to obtain the clinicopathological data. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fasting blood ALP activity was evaluated using ALP assessment kit and biochemistry analyzer. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED The data were analyzed by SPSS-21 software (SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 21.0, Armonk, NY, USA), using t-test, Mann-Whitney U, and Kruskal-Wallis tests. RESULTS Raised ALP was seen in 24% of OSCC patients. The mean ALP in OSCC was significantly higher than the control. ALP level in patients with advanced stage was significantly higher than with early stage. The serum ALP level in OSCC patients with bone involvement (BI) by local extension of tumor was significantly higher than without BI. CONCLUSION ALP showed statistically significant differences in relation to tumor stages and BI. Hence, ALP could be useful in advanced stage disease for expressing the endurance of patient and tumor expansion. Elevated ALP in OSCC patients may indicate BI.