Angiogenesis and Lymphangiogenesis in Oral SCCs: Comparison of Japanese and Indian Cases

Several studies showed that microvessel density could be a valid independent prognostic factor of tumour progression (Harrison, 1999; Carmeliet, 2000; Hasina, 2001). It has also been reported that there is an interrelation between higher microvessel density (MVD) and increased rate of tumour progression in oral squamous cell carcinoma (Folkman, 1990). Squamous cell carcinoma of oral cavity is identified as one of the ten most frequent tumours, and when larynx and pharynx are included it ranks 5th commonest malignancy, which generates nearly 37,200 new cases annually in the world (Weidner, 1998; Ahmedin et al., 2011). When we compare, we find that the incidence rate of OSSC is significantly low ie., 3-6% in Japan and most of the western countries comparing to India and South east Asian countries, ranges between 15% and 30% (Ascani et al., 2005). Oral Squamous cell carcinoma is strongly associated with Paan chewing, a long traditional habits in Southeast Asian population and consumption of Gutkha (a commercial brand of quid sachets), which is a popular personal habit especially among young age-group population of India (Keskar et al., 1998; Saman et al., 2002; Tanaka, 2005; Weitkunat et al., 2007). Until date, it has been remained unsatisfactory to find a suitable measure to prevent and control of