Survivin is a new and structurally unique member of the inhibitor of apoptosis family, expressed in all of the most common human cancers. We performed immunohistochemical staining of survivin and analyzed the relation with the clinicopathologic characteristics in human oral cancers. Oral biopsy specimens of 19 cases (12 men and 7 women) of oral cancer were used. The overall survivin positivity was 58%. The percentage of survivin-positive specimens in the T1+T2 group was significantly higher than that in the T3+T4 group (P=0.024) and the percentage of survivin-positive specimens in the N0 group was also significantly higher than that in the N+group (P=0.027). A slightly higher percentage of survivin-positive specimens was observed in the gingival cancer group compared with the tongue cancer group (P=0.059) and the percentage of survivin-positive specimens in the CR+PR group was also slightly higher than that in the NC group (P=0.06). Survivin was preferentially expressed in non-advanced, non-metastatic, and chemotherapy-sensitive oral squamous cell carcinoma.

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Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS) is a burning sensation of the oral mucosa that occurs in the absence of a clinical or laboratory finding. Since herpes virus infections are common in the oropharynx, a possible association between BMS and post-herpetic neuralgia was speculated. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate a potential viral role in the etiology of BMS. Materials and Methods: Viral serology (HSV, CMV, VZV IgM and IgG) obtained from 9 patients with BMS was compared to that of 13 patients with other oral mucosal conditions.
Results and Discussion: The general profile of the BMS patients in this trial fits the profile of these patients reported in the literature. No IgM seropositivity for any of the 3 viruses was recorded in the BMS patients. Although most subjects in the two groups were positive for HSV, CMV, and HZV IgG, no difference in the prevalence was noted between burning mouth and the control groups. The positive IgG findings indicate past exposure to the viruses as expected in the general population. Although no evidence was found that would support the presence of an active viral infection in BMS subjects, the possibility of a “hit and run” role for viral damage in BMS could not be ruled out based on the present sample.

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Immunolocalization of heparan sulphate (HS) and heparanase was evaluated in benign and malignant odontogenic tumors in order to know whether these molecules have potential roles in odontogenic tumorigenesis. In benign epithelial tumors such as ameloblastoma and adenomatoid odontogenic tumor, both molecules were localized only in neoplastic epithelium but in ameloblastic fibroma, positive reactions were observed in both epithelial and mesenchymal cells. Stromal localization of HS accompanied by intense immunoexpression of epithelial heparanase was observed in ameloblastic carcinoma, and this may represent the malignant progression of ameloblastoma to ameloblastic carcinoma. Taken together, it can be inferred from the results that apparent immunolocalization of heparanase may be a significant initiating factor in neoplastic transformation of odontogenic tissues.

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We report a case of ganglion of the temporomandibular joint in a 66-year-old man. Histologically, the mass showed a cystic cavity, which was surrounded by dense fibrous connective tissue, but epithelial lining was not observed. A review of the literature revealed 18 previous reports of ganglion arising in the temporomandibular joint.

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